BS Yeddyurappa granted anticipatory bail in graft case related to Upper Bhadra irrigation project

BANGALORE: The Karnataka High Court on Thursday granted anticipatory bail to former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa in a corruption case related to a tender he approved in the Upper Bhadra irrigation project.

Justice BS Billappa while allowing Yeddyurappa's bail plea asked him furnish a personal bond for 1lakh and directed him cooperate with the investigations.

The court also directed Yeddyurappa not to leave the country without its prior permission or tamper with any of the prosecution evidence. The Special Lokayukta Court had last month issued summons to Yeddyurappa following a private complaint lodged by YSV Datta of the JD (S) alleging irregularities and kickbacks in awarding the government contract in Upper Bhadra irrigation project.

The petitioner has alleged that Yeddyurappa had favoured RNS Jyothi Infrastructure in awarding the irrigation contract despite being the highest bidder at Rs 1,033 crore.

This goes against the established government norms of awarding its contracts to the lowest bidder.

Datta alleged that company after getting the contract transferred Rs 13 crore to firms owned by Yeddyurappa's children and relatives.