SC stays Karnataka HC order reopening land case against BS Yediyurappa

The Supreme Court on Monday stayed a Karnataka HC order, which had directed the reopening of a decade-old land scam case against chief minister BS Yediyurappa. A sessions court had earlier discharged the CM of the charges. The CM is accused of denotifying or releasing over the 20-acre plot from acquisition by state authorities and allotting it to private parties causing a huge loss to the exchequer.

The Lokayukta had flagged the deal which had taken place during his earlier stint as state’s deputy CM. On appeal, the HC on March 21 set aside the discharge order on the grounds that once a charge sheet was filed, the court had no option but to take cognisance of the offences. Yediyurappa had challenged this HC order in the SC. His case was argued by senior advocate KV Vishwanathan. A bench led by CJI SA Bobde stayed the HC order for now.