In a major setback to former Karnataka chief minister B.S. Yeddyur-appa, the Supreme Court on Friday ordered a CBI investigation against him, but limited it only to one of four issues referred by the central empowerment committee in its April 20 report.
“The issues specified at point 1(a) and 1(b) of the CEC report... are hereby referred for investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation,” a forest bench of Chief Justice S.H. Kapadia and Justi-ces Aftab Alam and Swat-anter Kumar ordered.
The court, however, left three other issues (“point ii, iii and vi” on Page 3 of the CEC report) untouched, while staying all court proceedings on matters handed to the CBI for investigation.
“All proceedings in relation to these items, if pending before any court, shall remain stayed till further orders of the Supreme Court. The CBI shall complete its investigation and submit a report to the court of competent jurisdiction, with a copy to this court, within three months,” the order said.
Clause 1(a) dealt with Mr Yeddyurappa’s two sons and a son-in-law buying 1.12 acres of agricultural land in two separate deeds in 2006 for `40 lakhs.
Clause 1(b) dealt with the alleged donation of “`20 crores” paid by SWML to Prerana Education Society, run by Mr Yeddyurappa’s kin. However, there were some contradictions on the donation amount.