'HDK, BSY face cases punishable with life term'

Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy is facing investigation by the Lokayukta SIT for several offences which are punishable with life imprisonment, a report filed in Supreme Court has stated.

"There are 58 cases pending against MLAs punishable with life imprisonment, most of whom are on the basis of SIT constituted by the Lokayukta. Of these, 34 are pending against nine sitting MLAs and 24 against six former MLAs," senior advocate Vijay Hansaria said in a report filed in the top court as amicus curiae.

Former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, an MLA, is facing investigation in 18 cases, including 14 punishable with life imprisonment and four with a 10-year jail term. "All these cases are pending investigation and awaiting final report," it said.

The report was filed in a PIL filed by advocate and BJP leader Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay.

It said nine cases are pending against former Minister G Janardhana Reddy. Of these, eight are punishable with life imprisonment. As many as 14 cases are pending against former MLA, C P Yogeshwar. Nine cases are pending against sitting MLAs B P Anand Kumar and five against B Nagendra.

In Karnataka, as many as 161 cases are pending against sitting and former legislators.