JOIN USThe Lokayukta police on Thursday filed strong objections in the Special Lokayukta Court that no relief be given to Yelahanka MLA S R Vishwanath, accused in illegal transfer of land case.
Submitting their objections to the anticipatory bail sought by Vishwanath, Lokayukta Special Public Prosecutor K K Sitaram argued that Vishwanath was the brain behind the operation that saw 32 acres and 4 guntas of government land in Madanapalli, Hessaraghatta Hobli, being purchased by his relatives and aides. “He is the main person behind this and the other accused are puppets,” Sitaram argued.
Vishwanath applied for anticipatory bail after four other accused government officials, including IAS officer M K Aiyappa, were arrested by the Lokayukta police.
Aiyappa is accused of being responsible for the transfer of land to Narasimhaiah, who later sold it Vishwanath’s nephew and aides.
“Narasimhaiah is aged 80 plus and lives in impoverished condition and is accused of selling the land for Rs 7 crore. He cannot be responsible for this deal. He does not even have a proper roof over his head. It is a deep rooted conspiracy on the part of Vishwanath to cheat government of its land,” Sitaram argued.
The police have also submitted that it was not a simple offence but a complete disrespect of rule of law and offence against society.
Conceding that the arrest of Vishwanath was imminent as his custody was required for investigation, the Lokayukta police argued that anticipatory bail should not be granted as he was not innocent.