Special court takes cognizance of plaint against BSY's son

Besides Raghavendra, complaint names other kin

A CBI special court has taken cognizance of a private complaint filed against Shikaripura MLA B Y Raghavendra, son of former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa, accusing him of amassing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.

The complaint also listed Raghavendra’s brother B Y Vijayendra, and brothers-in-law R N Sohan Kumar and B S Udayakumar as other accused. The complainant has alleged that Raghavendra had misused his position as a Member of Parliament when his father Yeddyurappa was the deputy chief minister and the chief minister and amassed properties in Bangalore, Shimoga and other places.

The complainant, Vinod B, an advocate from Shimoga, had first filed the private complaint in November 2013 when Raghavendra was a sitting MP. The CBI special court had dismissed the complaint in May 2014 as ‘not maintainable’ for want of prior sanction to prosecute Raghavendra.

“The court had also opined that dismissal of the complaint will not come in the way, if a fresh petition is filed either by obtaining the required sanction or in the event of changed circumstances. Since he has ceased to be a Member of Parliament, prior sanction is not necessary for offences committed in his previous office,” Vinod said.

The complainant has stated that Raghavendra began to accumulate properties when Yeddyurappa was the deputy chief minister during February 2006 and October 2007 and also during his stint as the chief minister from July 2008 to July 2011.

Raghavendra has allegedly misused his official powers and purchased properties in his name as well as in the names of his family members. The complainant stated that Raghavendra had neither disclosed the properties in his election declaration of 2009, nor to the authorities concerned.

According to the complainant, Raghavendra purchased agricultural lands from farmers, got them alienated in quick time and constructed buildings for colleges, schools, nursing colleges, hostels, hospitals, factories and hotels.

The complainant submitted that Raghavendra has committed offences under Section 13(1) (d) and (e) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. He has submitted to the court 15 sale deeds in the name of Raghavendra, 10 sale deeds in the name of Dhavalagiri Properties and six sale deeds in the name of Prerana Education Trust.

The CBI special court judge posted the case for sworn statement of the complainant to October 23.