Lokayukta had clinching evidence against Yeddyurappa, sons receiving “bribes”: Justice Hegde
Bengaluru: Former Lokayukta Justice N. Santosh Hegde, is “saddened” that the BJP has nominated BS Yeddyurappa, against whom Hegde had prepeared a voluminous report on illegal iron ore mining in 2011, as its chief ministerial candidate.
The former judge of the Supreme Court, in a recent interview with News Click and The Wire, said that he and his officers in the Lokayukta had found “foolproof” and clinching evidence against Yeddyurappa and his sons receiving “bribes” from mining companies and granting them illegal favours.
He expressed his unhappiness that the state government and other law-enforcing agencies had not diligently pursued the cases against the former chief minister and his family members and rued the way in which the faith of ordinary people in the criminal justice system had been eroded.
“We had enough proof that he received Rs 19-20 crore from a company called South West Mining Company which had absolutely no capital. It received (the money) one day, Rs 20 crore starting from the account of Jindal Steel Toranagallu, Bellary, which moved into three or four benami accounts… and landed in the account of South West Mining Company. Out of that Rs 20 crore, Rs 10 crore by cheque was purportedly donated to an education trust in a neighbouring district called Shimoga, which is wholly owned by Yeddyurappa and family,” he said replying to a question.
“For a public servant to receive such a huge gift, according to me, is contrary to law, the disciplinary rules as well as the fact that the file was then pending with Yeddyurappa. As a chief minister he had the mining portfolio with him and received Rs 10 crore as donation which, according to me, shows that money was paid not as a donation but for considerations for showing favours in the mining application,” Mr. Hegde added.
He also said that the state government and the law-enforcing agencies failed to pursue the corruption cases against Yeddyurappa and his family members. He also rued the way in which the faith of ordinary people is being eroded.
It can be recalled that the then chief minister, B S Yeddyurappa had to step down from his post after the submission of final report by the Lokayukta. He had become the first serving CM to go to jail.
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Giving son Rahul to Rae Bareli people, he won't disappoint you: Sonia Gandhi
Raebareli (UP), May 17: Congress leader Sonia Gandhi said on Friday that she is giving her son to the people of Rae Bareli and "Rahul will not disappoint you".
She also thanked the people for giving her an opportunity to serve them as an MP for 20 years.
"My everything is all given by you. So, brothers and sisters, I am giving you my son. You consider me yours," she said.
Trying to strike an emotional chord with the voters, Sonia asked the people to consider Rahul Gandhi too as their own. Rahul will not disappoint you, said Sonia Gandhi, as Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi stood by her side on the stage at a joint election rally here.
"I taught the same lessons to Rahul and Priyanka which Indira Gandhi and the people of Rae Bareli had taught me. To respect all, protect the weak, fight against injustice for the rights of people. Don't be afraid, because your roots of struggle and traditions are very deep," she said.
Sonia Gandhi was first elected as an MP from Rae Bareli in 2004 and represented the seat till earlier this year when she vacated it on getting elected as a member of the Rajya Sabha.
Rahul Gandhi is in fray from the Rae Bareli constituency this time.
Sonia Gandhi also thanked the people of Rae Bareli for electing her.
"You gave me a chance to serve you as MP for 20 years. This is the biggest asset of my life," she said.
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, along with other senior leaders of the Congress and the SP, was also present on the stage at the rally.
