Express News Service By

BANGALURU : In a major relief to Energy Minister D K Shivakumar, former chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa and two other officials, the High Court on Friday quashed proceedings initiated against them by the Lokayukta Special Court in connection with an illegal denotification case.

The two other officials are the then Special Deputy Commissioner, Bengaluru Urban, Ramegowda, and then Sub Registrar of K R Puram Hameed Ali.

While allowing the petitions filed by them, Justice Anand Byrareddy said in his verdict, “The allegations levelled against the petitioners do not constitute criminal acts and the favours shown to Energy Minister Shivakumar by the co-accused officials can be at the most termed a procedural lapse and not a criminal conspiracy.”

The proceedings were initiated against them based on two separate private complaints by T J Abraham and Kabbale Gowda. After investigating the case, the Lokayukta police filed a chargesheet in June 2012.

The verdict has all the potential to give a big boost to the political fortunes of the two ambitious leaders. Reacting to the outcome of the legal battle, a beaming Yeddyurappa said that he had full faith in the judiciary and was confident of emerging victorious.

The BJP National Vice-president is nursing an ambition to regain his political turf in the state after Prime Minister Narendra Modi kept him out of his ministry citing the corruption charges against him.

His chances of heading the state BJP are brighter with Friday’s court verdict. The State BJP is set to elect its new president in January and Yeddyurappa has said he would be keen to return full-time to state politics. However, his judicial battle is not entirely over as he is facing a slew of land denotification charges too.

“I am ready to take up the responsibility as BJP’s state president if the party leaders want it. I will tour the state for the next two-and-a-half years to bring the BJP back to power in the next assembly election,” he declared after the verdict.

As for Shivakumar, the Vokkaliga strongman was kept out of the ministry by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Thanks to Shivakumar’s “organising capabilities” and good equation with the party high command, he later made his way into the cabinet as Energy Minister.

The verdict would be a shot in the arm for him as he does not mind projecting himself as a potential Chief Ministerial candidate for Congress.

Highlights of Case

According to the petition, Shivakumar had purchased 4.2 acres at Benniganahalli from the land’s original owner, despite it being acquired by the BDA. Thereafter, he allegedly got it denotified with the help of the then Chief CM B S Yeddyurappa, using his influence.

Later, Shivakumar allegedly got the land converted, using his influence with the officials and signed a joint agreement with a private builder to develop the property. Justice Anand Byrareddy began the hearing of a batch of petitions on November 26, after the apex court directed the high court to hear the matter expeditiously.