Lokayukta summons Yeddyurappa, others in land grab case

14 Apr 2012

The Karnataka Lokayukta has decided to press ahead with the land-grab case against former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa, despite being earlier cleared of wrongdoing by the Lokayukta police.

Judge N K Sudhindra Rao on Friday issued summonses to Yeddyurappa, housing minster V Somanna, his wife Shylaja and one D Lingaiah, the original owner of the land in question, directing them to appear before the court on 30 April.

The complaint pertains to the alleged illegal de-notification of 22 guntas of land at a village near Bangalore, which earlier was notified agricultural land.

On March 21, Lokayukta investigating officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police,  Prasanna V Raju had filed a 'B' report in the court, which gives a clean chit to the accused.

The complainant had objected to the 'B' report and filed a complaint before the special Lokayukta court. The Lokayukta police submitted that the charge of "misusing his position" was not applicable in the case, as Yeddyurappa was neither a legislator nor a minister during the period when the land was de-notified, and therefore there was no case against him.

The other three accused were also absolved of the charges.