The Karnataka high court which on Thursday granted anticipatory bail to former Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa made a strong observation, "Taking a former chief minister into custody who continues to be in public life will humiliate him."
The observation was made by Justice Subhash Adi while granting anticipatory bail to Yeddyurappa, his two sons and son-in-law.
Justice Adi observed that similar cases had been filed against Yeddyurappa and he was granted bail. The same court had quashed the Lokayukta report which had recommended criminal proceedings against him.
This Lokayukta report was the source for the Central Empowered Committee to recommend to the Supreme Court to direct seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation probe.
The CBI had argued that the accused persons were evasive in their replies. The court however stated that the CBI does not state that the accused failed to appear for questioning.
"Just because the answers were evasive, it does not mean that they need to be interrogated in custody. Moreover, there is no allegation that the accused are tampering with the evidence or hampering the probe," the court noted.
The court stated, "There is nothing to show that the accused are committing similar offences. The CBI had interrogated the accused for a month without taking them into custody. Moreover, the case is based on documentary evidences."
Interestingly, just two days ago pamphlets were distributed in the court accusing the judge of being biased. It stated that Yeddyurappa would be granted bail as he has promised to make senior leader Jagadish Shettar the chief minister. It was alleged that Shettar is close to the judge.
The order, which was to be pronounced on Wednesday, was put off to Thursday.
Prior to the commencement of the order, Justice Adi asked both parties whether they had any objection to him passing the order. He commenced dictation only after no objections were raised.
