SC rejects Riyaz's request for early hearing of bail plea

 The Supreme Court on Friday rejected a plea by Syed Riyaz, former public relations officer for the Karnataka Lokayukta, for advancing the hearing of his bail application in the case of an extortion racket allegedly run by him and others at the office of anti-corruption watchdog in Bengaluru.

A bench presided over by Chief Justice H L Dattu rejected the request made by senior advocate K V Viswanathan on behalf of the officer. He urged the court to advance the hearing from November 2.

Advocate Joseph Aristotle, appearing for the Karnataka government, was also not in favour of advancing the date of hearing.

Bail for four accused

Acting on the Karnataka government’s petition, the apex court had on September 16 stayed a Karnataka High Court order of September 8 which granted bail to four accused, including Syed Riyaz.

The court issued notice to the accused PRO, television journalist M B Srinivasa Gowda and two others, Shankare Gowda and Ashok Kumar.

In its plea, the State government had opposed their bail plea contending that the accused had seriously damaged the credibility and reputation of a prime institution such as the Lokayukta.