SC issues notice to Bangarappa in disproportionate assets case

NEW DELHI, MARCH 10: The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice to former Karnataka chief minister S Bangarappa on a special leave petition by the Central Bureau of Investigation challenging a High Court order discharging him in a disproportionate assets case.

A division bench comprising Justice S Saghir Ahmed and Justice R P Sethi issued the notice after Additional Solicitor General Altaf Ahmed pointed out that the High Court erred in coming to the conclusion that the investigating officers in the case were not duly authorised to conduct the investigation.

He said that the High Court also erred in saying that the trial judge was not empowered to try the case under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The trial court had framed charges against him under Section 13 (2) read with Section 13 (1) (E) of the Act on August 9, 1999.

According to the CBI, Bangarappa’s total income from known sources between 1988 and 1997 was Rs 29 lakh whereas he had amassed assets worth Rs 4 crore.