The Karnataka High Court has set aside the Lokayukta Report, which indicted the former Chief Minister, Mr B.S. Yeddyurappa.
The court also set aside the FIR filed on him based on the Lokayukta report on illegal mining by the then Lokayukta, Mr Santosh Hegde.
This is likely to spur the former chief minister to renew his bid to stage a comeback.
On Wednesday, a Division Bench comprising Mr Justice K. Bhakstavatsala and Mr Justice K. Govindarajulu, passed the order allowing an application filed by Mr Yeddyurappa challenging the Lokayukta FIR.
The court also set aside the sanction given by the Governor, Mr H.R. Bhardwaj, to prosecute Mr Yeddyurappa.
The Registration of First Information Report (FIR) based on the Lokayukta report against Mr Yeddyurappa and his family members also has been set aside on the ground that there is no case is made out against him under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act or any other law.
Getting relief from the High Court, the former chief minister is now pinning hopes on the BJP central leadership to render ‘justice' to him, indicating a renewed bid for his reinstatement as the Chief Minister.
“Satyameva Jayate. By the blessings of the God and people, I have got justice from court. I always held judiciary in high esteem”, a beaming Mr Yeddyurappa told reporters outside his residence here before heading to a temple to offer puja.
“I am not going to ask for anything. It is left to the high command to decide. I have 100 per cent trust in my party leadership that they will do justice to me,” Mr Yeddyurappa.
CM reluctant to step down
The Karnataka Chief Minister, Mr D.V. Sadananda Gowda, indicated that he would not make way for reinstatement of his predecessor, Mr B.S. Yeddyurappa, after the court ordered quashing of an FIR against him in a case that had led to his ouster, saying other serious cases were pending against him.
“Just now I came to know that the permission granted by the Governor has been quashed. There are several cases pending against him...total eight cases are pending (against him),” Mr Gowda told PTI on the sidelines of a global investors meet (GIM).
Mr Gowda said the pending cases are ‘severe matters' pertaining to issues such as illegal land conversion and de-notification.
“This (the FIR which was quashed today) is concerned with the Lokayukta report with regard to mining activities,” Mr Gowda said, adding it was for the party's central leadership to take a call on who should lead in the State.