New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday stayed the investigation in an FIR lodged by the Lokayukta police against former Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa in a corruption case in connection with the award of a Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) contract.
Senior advocates Mukul Rohatgi and Siddharth Dave, representing Yediyurappa, contended before a bench headed by Justice DY Chandrachud that the Karnataka High Court ignored the fact that it was mandatory to obtain prior sanction before issuing an order to register an FIR. The counsel, representing complainant activist TJ Abraham, argued that prior sanction requirements had been dispensed with the latest amendment in law in connection with cases, which arise out of complaints filed under Section 156(3) of the Criminal Procedure Code.
After hearing arguments, the bench, also comprising Justice Hima Kohli, issued notice to Abraham on a petition by the senior BJP leader challenging the high court order. During the hearing, the top court said it would examine the matter. In an order earlier this month, the high court held that the rejection of sanction would not come in the way of proceedings against Yediyurappa. He moved the apex court challenging the high court order.
