Cabinet asks Governor to reconsider his decision on T.J. Abraham’s plea on ‘corruption case’ against Yediyurappa

In a major development, the Karnataka Cabinet on Thursday recommended to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot to reconsider his decision on the rejection of a plea submitted by social activist T.J. Abraham on November 19, 2020, to prosecute former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa and his family members in alleged corruption and money laundering cases.

Mr. Abraham submitted the petition to the Governor seeking a probe into the alleged involvement of Mr. Yediyurappa, his family members, and associates in corruption when he was the Chief Minister. The Governor had rejected it on June 23, 2021.

A Cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday urged the Governor to revisit his decision taken in 2021 to reject the sanction of prosecution into charges of corruption against Mr. Yediyurappa and his family members, including BJP State president B.Y. Vijayendra.

Allegations made

The social activist had made allegations of corruption against the former Chief Minister with regard to the construction of a housing complex costing ₹567 crore by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) at Konadasapura, Bidarahalli hobli, Bengaluru East taluk, Bengaluru Urban district. The BDA in 2017 issued a tender for a turnkey project for the construction of one BHK and three BHK flats.

In 2017, the BDA issued a tender for the construction of housing flats. While Nagarjuna Constructions participated in a bid and quoted ₹691.74 crore, Ramalingam Construction Company Pvt. Ltd. quoted ₹666.22 crore. Both bids were above the estimated project cost of ₹567 crore, Minister H.K. Patil, who briefed media persons on the Cabinet meeting decisions, said.

These cases were related to alleged corrupt practices, fraud, and money laundering in awarding contracts for the BDA’s residential complex project at Bidarahalli. Mr. Patil said a bribe of ₹12 crore was purportedly exchanged, with details captured in an audio recording.

Recently, Mr. Abraham petitioned the Governor for permission to prosecute Mr. Siddaramaiah in the alleged MUDA scam.

Published - November 28, 2024 10:21 pm IST