Karnataka HC quashes case against Yeddurappa in illegal mining case

Bangalore, Mar 7 (ANI): The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday quashed a case filed against former chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa in connection with anllegal mining case.

Justice Bhaktavatsala and Justice Govindaraju quashed the orders, saying the principal of natural justice was not followed by the Lokayukta while indicting Yeddyurappa in its report on illegal mining.

Yeddyurappa had in his petition appealed that the lower court proceeded against him without giving him opportunity to explain and the 'natural justice' was not followed by the Lokayukta before filing the FIR and hence it should be quashed.

The case relates to alleged donation of Rs. 10 crore paid by South West Mining Company to a trust run by Yeddyurappa's family and also a transaction of Rs. 20 crore in the sale of land to a mining firm by them.

In his petition in the High court, Yeddyurappa had appealed that the lower court proceeded against him without giving him opportunity to explain and the 'natural Justice' was not followed by the Lokayukta before filing the FIR and hence it should be quashed.

Former Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde's independent inquiry into mining graft in Karnataka had accused Yeddyurappa and other key officials for causing a loss of at least 160 billion rupees to the state exchequer between 2006 and 2010.

Yeddyurappa tendered his resignation on July 31 to Karnataka Governor Hansraj Bhardwaj, following allegations of corruption. (ANI)