Another jolt for former CM

BANGALORE: The High Court on Monday rejected the anticipatory bail application of former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa in connection with the summons issued by the Special Lokayukta court.Yeddyurappa had moved the application before the court in connection with the illegal denotification of 2.15 acres at Arakere village.Governor H R Bhardwaj had sanctioned prosecution of Yeddyurappa.In his judgment, Justice L Narayanaswamy said that it was not a fit case for grant of anticipatory bail considering the Governor’s sanction and the special court taking cognizance of the case.“With the Governor’s sanction for prosecution after satisfying himself that there is a case made out to prosecute the petitioner and the special court having taken cognizance after recording sworn statements and after discussing each and every document, it cannot be said that there is no prima facie against the petitioner.In the circumstances, I do not think this is a fit case for granting anticipatory bail,” the judge said.Upholding this submission by the respondents and the Lokayukta to reject the bail on grounds that he might influence the witnesses, the court said, “Witnesses are large in number and all are government servants, including IAS officers, working in various capacities.They may not be in a position to depose freely.In case anticipatory bail is granted, the court believes that the petitioner could influence witnesses,” the bench said.The court said the rejection of bail is in the interest of the state.“When a question of society/state interest is involved, the court has to lean in favour of protection of society/state because society is bigger than the individual,” the bench added.The order of the anticipatory bail plea had a terse end with Justice Narayanaswamy uttering a one-word pronouncement “dismissed”.The fully packed court, waiting for the judgment, melted away immediately after the judge took the file and uttered the word.The advocates and media, who were waiting for the pronouncement, immediately sprang behind the counsels, who themselves were clueless about it.