Bangalore:
BS Yeddyurappa's attempt to get anticipatory bail in a case of corruption has been rejected by the Karnataka High Court. He has been accused of illegally denotifying land that had been reserved for projects of public interest.
Mr Yeddyurappa was forced to resign as Chief Minister of Karnataka on July 31 when a report on mining declared him guilty of accepting kickbacks from companies who were given mining licenses.
This morning, the 63-year-old BJP leader was in a Bangalore hospital being treated for high fever. After his anticipatory bail was rejected, he headed to a local temple. He then proceeded to a Lokayukta or ombudsman's court in Bangalore, where he applied for regular bail. The court will hear his case on September 7. Karnataka's former Lokayukta, Justice Santosh Hegde, had filed several reports that suggested Mr Yeddyurappa misused his public office fairly often to benefit his friends and family.
His prosecution under the Prevention of Corruption Act - on criminal charges - has been sanctioned by the Governor, HR Bhardwaj.