JOIN USSampangi to walk free today
The High Court of Karnataka on Tuesday granted bail to Y Sampangi, the KGF legislator, who was sentenced to imprisonment on bribery charges.
On June 3, the Special Lokayukta Court had convicted Sampangi for accepting a bribe of Rs 4.95 lakh from H M Farooq, a businessman. He was sentenced to three-and-a-half years of rigorous imprisonment.
Sampangi had challenged his conviction before the High Court.
Justice V Jagannathan granted bail to the legislator on the condition that the latter must furnish a bond for Rs one lakh along with two sureties.
He has been asked not to leave the country without permission.
Sampangi, now lodged in Parappana Agrahara prison, will be released on Wednesday after the High Court order is presented to the Lokayukta Court.
Ashok Harnahalli, who appeared for the Kolar Gold Fields legislator, contended that Sampangi was a victim of political rivalry and personal vendetta.
He argued that the complainant’s statement was not corroborated by evidence and that a valid sanction had not been obtained from the Speaker to prosecute the legislator.
Harnahalli said there were discrepancies in the statement of the complainant on the recovery of money.
The bail petition says that that even the place where the alleged incident occurred is a mystery.
“The witness says it is room number 264 in the Legislators’ Home while the police say it is room number 246,” the petition says.
The High Court adjourned the petition seeking suspension of the conviction.