BJP MLA S R Vishwanath of Yelahanka, got a much-needed relief from the Special Lokayukta Court as his anticipatory bail application was disposed of on Tuesday after directing the Lokayukta police not to arrest him till the submission of the final report on the investigation.

Vishwanath is presently the subject of an ongoing investigation into amassing of wealth disproportionate to his income and misuse of public office, stemming from a private complaint filed in the Lokayukta court by Shashidhar V, a social activist.

Following raids conducted on his residence and office on December 19 by the Lokayukta police, Vishwanath approached the Court seeking anticipatory bail apprehending arrest.
Judge N K Sudhindra Rao had deferred the pronouncement of orders twice in this case, expressing his dissatisfaction by the objections submitted by the Lokayukta police.

Pronouncing the orders, the Judge observed that Lokayukta police had submitted objections to the anticipatory bail application stating the matter was still under preliminary investigation and the accused (Vishwanath and his wife Vanishree) might be arrested at the time of the submission of the final report, if the allegations were proved to be true.

“It is crystal clear that the investigating agency has said that they will not arrest the accused till the submission of the final report. This averment made regarding non arrest of the petitioner till completion of the investigation will be treated as an undertaking and the Lokayukta police are directed to comply and maintain it,” he observed.