Karnataka audio tapes: FIR against Yeddyurappa, three others

Provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act invoked against BJP State president

Leader of the Opposition B.S. Yeddyurappa in the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday.

Raichur district police registered an FIR against BJP State president B.S. Yeddyurappa under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, for allegedly trying to woo JD(S) MLA Naganagouda Kandkur’s son Sharanagouda with promise of money and ministry. Devadurga police registered the case on Wednesday night acting on a complaint filed by Mr. Sharanagouda, who allegedly recorded his conversation with Mr. Yeddyurappa at the Yadgir Circuit House in the early hours of February 8.

The FIR also mentions two BJP MLAs Shivanagouda Naik of Devadurga and Preetham Gowda of Hassan and former journalist and adviser to Mr. Yeddyurappa M.B. Maramkal as other accused in the case. The three were allegedly present at the circuit house when Mr. Sharanagouda met Mr. Yeddyurappa and also allegedly tried to induce him to switch sides.

Mr. Sharanagouda has alleged that the accused threatened him that they “would finish off the political life” of his father, Gurumitkal MLA, if he did not switch over to the BJP. This has prompted the police to also book the accused under Section 506 of Indian Penal Code for criminal intimidation and Section 120(B) of IPC for criminal conspiracy.

Mr. Yeddyurappa, who first denied that he ever met Mr. Sharanagouda, later conceded he did meet him.

To approach court?

Sources said the FIR will be transferred to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) that the Chief Minister has promised to set up to probe efforts to topple the government through illegal means. However, BJP sources said those named in the FIR may approach the High Court of Karnataka seeking that it be quashed as they argued the case was borne out of “political vendetta”.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Sharanagouda met D. Kishore Babu, Superintendent of Police, Raichur, submitted his complaint and the 80-minute long audio clip that he had recorded. He was advised to lodge his complaint with the Devadurga police, which he did later. Speaking to reporters in Raichur, Mr. Sharanagouda said he was in Bengaluru for the last few days and was consulting his lawyers.