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Journalism of Courage
An inquiry into one of the five complaints of corruption against Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa,to be conducted by the states anti-corruption force,the Lokayukta police,will not involve filing of an FIR against him.
The Lokayukta police,after wrestling for three days with the issue of procedure in the probe,announced on Monday that it would conduct a direct inquiry against the Chief Minister and his family and present a report to the Lokayukta designated court by May 4.
In one of the complaints Yeddyurappa is accused of using his the CMs office for private gain through the release of government acquired land to his sons for sale at huge profits.
Based on the complaint,a Lokayukta had on March 24 ordered an inquiry to see if there were sufficient grounds to proceed in the matter.
The Lokayukta police had initially indicated that they would have to file an FIR against the CM to proceed with the inquiry,triggering off doubts over Yeddyurappas continuance as the CM since three of his Cabinet colleagues were forced to resign after cases were registered against them in different circumstances.
The chief of the Lokayukta police,Additional Director General R K Dutta,on Monday said there was no need to file an FIR since the case.
According to the chief of our legal cell,there is no need to file an FIR at all in this case. Investigation can begin straightaway, Dutta said.
The Lokayukta court in its order on March 24 had stated that the issue of process against the accused is postponed… and the matter is referred to the SP,Karnataka Lokayukta for inquiry and report.
Legal experts have stated that there is no need to file an FIR given the context of the court order.
