Illegal mining: Hearing on bail applications of B S Yeddyurappa, kin adjourned to May 25

BANGALORE: A CBI designated court today adjourned to May 25 hearing on the anticipatory bail pleas filed by former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa and his family members, against whom the central agency has launched a probe in connection with an alleged illegal mining scam.

Within hours of CBI raids on his and his family members' residences yesterday, Yeddyurappa, his two sons B Y Raghavendra, MP and B Y Vijayendra and son-in-law R N Sohan Kumar had filed the applications.

While adjourning the hearing, Judge Shivalinge Gowda directed them to approach the regular court.

Presently, the courts are on summer vacation. Armed with a Supreme Court order directing a CBI probe into the case, the agency officials had also raided two mining firms which allegedly doled out large donations to a trust run by Yeddyurappa's family in return for alleged undue favours shown to them during his Chief Ministership.

The raids by joint teams from Bangalore and Hyderabad were conducted in 11 places, including two residences in Bangalore, Shimoga, Yeddyurappa's home district and his assembly constituency Shikaripura.

The crackdown came after CBI registered a case for offences under IPC including criminal conspiracy and criminal breach of trust besides under the provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act and Prevention of Corruption Act.