BSY acquitted in graft case, boost before poll

■ Shot in arm for K’taka BJP ahead of 2018

In a verdict that came as a personal boost ahead of the 2018 state elections, a special CBI court in Karnataka on Wednesday acquitted former state chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, his two sons, son-in-law and nine others in a corruption case on illegal mining in Bellary that allegedly involved a bribe amount of `40 crores.

Judge R.B. Dharmagouder exonerated all 13 accused in the case, saying the prosecution had failed to establish their guilt under the Prevention of Corruption

Act and the Indian Penal Code.

Five months ago, Mr Yeddyurappa had broken down in open court, crying political vendetta, while he was being questioned over receiving illegal donations in the kickback cases. On Wednesday, soon after the CBI court acquitted him and the others of all

Congress leader refers to CBI as the ‘pet performing poodle’ of Centre

charges, the Lingayat strongman took no time in announcing that he was clean to the world through Twitter, as well as to his senior leaders in New Delhi.

The jubilant Mr Yeddyurapa tweeted: “Justice is done, I stand vindicated, thanks to all well wishers, friends and supporters who stood with me in my tough times.” This was quickly followed by another tweet, that read: “Satyameva Jayate”.

The big smile of his, with the trademark waving of the victory symbol,

Continued from Page 1 is back big time as Mr Yeddyurappa reiterated his faith in the judiciary while reacting to the acquittal outside the court premises, saying he was “extremely happy” and that “the false and baseless allegations that were politically motivated were finally dismissed by the court”.

The verdict further cements the politically ambitious leader’s comeback plans after he was forced to step down in the wake of these charges, and comes as a huge shot in the arm for Mr Yeddyurappa.

After the verdict, he remembered his mother, whom he had lost in his early childhood and also expressed his gratitude to all BJP workers and to everyone who had faith in him.

The CBI court acquitted him and the others, including his two sons B.Y. Vijayendra and B.Y. Raghavendra, son-in-law R.N. Sohan Kumar, and former minister S.N. Krishnaiah Setty, among others, from all charges due to “lack of evidence”.

The case relates to showing favour to two mining companies and receiving illegal gratification (a total amount of `40 crores) from them through the Prerana Trust, managed by his sons and son-in-law. The CBI had taken up the case following a direction by the Supreme Court.

Mr R.B. Dharamagoudar, 21st additional city civil and sessions judge and principal special judge for CBI cases, pronounced the verdict that runs approximately into over 400 pages, acquitting all the accused of the charges under Sections 120B and 420 IPC and Sections 7, 11, 13(2) 13 (1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988.

Outside the court premises, Mr Yeddyurappa’s supporters broke into celebrations as they raised slogans in his praise and burst crackers. In New Delhi, the Congress described the CBI as the government’s “pet performing poodle”.

The party’s spokesman Manish Tewari told reporters: “If there is or was or continues to be any open and shut case of corruption and misconduct, it is the case pertaining to Yeddyurappa.”