Mumbai: Union Law Minister M. Veerappa Moily on Saturday slammed Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, saying the alleged corruption and nepotism charges against him are 'on record' and Governor H.R. Bhardwaj was well within his authority to sanction his prosecution.
"Corruption is on record, nepotism is on record," Moily told reporters here in reply to questions about the developments in Karnataka where the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called for a shutdown to protest Bhardwaj's nod for filing criminal case against Yeddyurappa on corruption charges.
The law minister said "no one is above the rule of law" and chief ministers don't enjoy immunity from the law.
"It is not the governor who will decide the case. Ultimately, it is for the judiciary (to do that)… Governor has the authority to sanction prosecution against chief ministers," he said, defending Bhardwaj.
The law minister flayed the ruling BJP for resorting to violence to enforce the shutdown during which activists torched buses, pelted stones and attacked shops across Karnataka.
"They (BJP) are defending the corruption at the highest level," he said.
The governor gave permission on Friday night to launch criminal proceedings against Yeddyurappa, as sought by two Bangalore-based advocates, Sirajin Basha and K.N. Balaraj, over revelations that the chief minister had favoured his close kin with prime land in and around Bengaluru.