Illegal denotification of land: Yeddyurappa gets conditional bail in one case

The Karnataka High Court on Thursday granted conditional bail to the former Chief Minister, B.S. Yeddyurappa, in one of the corruption cases related to illegal denotification of land. However, he will be able to walk out of prison only if the High Court grants him bail in the second case as well.

The order on his petition for bail in the second case concerning another instance of illegal denotification of land is likely to be pronounced on Friday.

Bail was granted in the case related to denotification of land in Geddalahalli, coming under Arkavati Layout, and in Devarachikkanahalli and Arakere in favour of persons who are allegedly benami landholders for Mr. Yeddyurappa.

According to the conditions imposed by the High Court, Mr. Yeddyurappa will have to furnish a bond for Rs. 5 lakh and surety for an equal amount, and neither he nor his agents tamper with evidence or threaten witnesses in the case.

In his order, Justice Pinto said: “The antecedents of accused persons, the imminent danger to society in the event of their release, etc., are parameters to be considered for granting bail.” He said Mr. Yeddyurappa could not be denied bail in this case in view of these parameters and added that proceedings on documents alone could not result in his conviction as many witnesses needed to be examined, and “it is too early to disentitle the petitioner from bail.”

“The ground reality is that notorious criminals get elected to Parliament even remaining inside jail. Such being the situation, the observation of the Special Lokayukta Court that the accused can influence, if released on bail, cannot hold much water,” the court observed.