SC order on ex-CM case today

The Supreme Court is likely to pronounce its order on Friday on the Central Empowered Committee (CEC)’s recommendation for a probe by an independent central agency like CBI into the corruption charges faced by former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa.

The green bench of the Apex Court headed by Justice S H Kapadia, which was hearing the cases, will issue an order. 

The CEC, in its report submitted to the Apex Court on April 20, had suggested that the probe by an independent agency was imminent to unearth any quid pro quo in granting mining leases as well as donations received by the Trusts run by Yeddyurappa’s kin from corporate houses.

The panel also recommended a probe into all denotifications done by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) since its inception to uncover any irregularities and procedural  lapses.

The CEC made this suggestion after hearing the petition filed by Dharwad-based NGO Samaj Parivartana Samudaya (SPS). The BJP central leadership, seized of Yeddyurappa’s demand to reinstate him as chief minister, is eagerly waiting for the Supreme Court decision.

Based on the Apex Court verdict, BJP high command may take a decision on allowing Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda to go ahead with the expansion of his Cabinet. The party is also waiting for the verdict before giving any post to Yeddyurappa in the organisation as demanded by his followers.

Earlier, the expert panel, CEC, made some serious observations while launching a scathing attack on the way land was denotified and huge sums were paid to Prerana Trust, run by the family members of the former chief minister, calling it a “windfall gain.”

It pointed to serious violations of the relevant Acts and procedural lapses and prima facie misuse of office by him.

The panel recommended the independent agency probe into the Prerana Education Society, set up by the kin of Yeddyurappa, receiving Rs 10 crore from South West Mining Limited (SWML), a Jindal Group Company.

It also recommended a probe into the denotification of Rachenahalli land and its subsequent purchase by  SWML from the kin of the former chief minister, besides the Rs six crore payment made by Praveen Chandra, a mining lease holder to Bhagat Homes Private Limited and Dhavalagiri Property Developers Private Limited.