A day after the Lokayukta filed an FIR against him in connection with an alleged land scam, Karnataka IT Minister Katta Subramanya Naidu resigned on Friday.
"To facilitate an impartial probe by Lokayukta, Katta Subramanya Naidu has resigned from the ministry today. I have forwarded it to Governor H R Bhardwaj for acceptance", Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa told reporters.
The anti-corruption watchdog had on Thursday registered an FIR against Naidu and nine others, including his son Katta Jagadish Naidu, a city corporator, over alleged irregularities in Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board land purchase and securing compensation for land acquired by it.
The FIR said Naidu allegedly had a role in the allotment of 385 acres to ITASKA Software, a firm set up by one of his aides to establish a SEZ while he was industries minister in 2007. The Lokayukta had arrested his son Jagadish a few months ago for allegedly trying to influence a witness.
He later obtained bail from the high court.
Naidu is the third minister to quit this year after H Halappa, who resigned after rape charges were levelled against him, and R Ramachandra Gowda, following allegations of recruit scams.