Bengaluru: Lokayukta Police Registers Case Against Yediyurappa, Family In Corruption Case

A complaint by an activist Abraham, alleging that the accused obtained bribes in return for granting BDA (Bangalore Development Authority) contracts

Days after a Karnataka court ordered registering of an FIR against former Chief Minister and senior BJP leader BS Yediyurappa and family in alleged corruption case, the Lokayukta police on Friday registered it under the Prevention of Corruption Act and IPC, based on a complaint by activist TJ Abraham.

The Lokayukta police registered a case against Yediyurappa and his kin, including his son BY Vijayendra, who is the BJP state vice president, his grandson and the then BDA commissioner. 

A complaint by an activist Abraham, alleging that the accused obtained bribes in return for granting BDA (Bangalore Development Authority) contracts. The case pertains to awarding tender for the construction of BDA apartments at Konadasapura in Bidarahalli in the city.

It is alleged that the accused took kickbacks from a builder, which were routed through shell companies owned by them, when Yediyurappa was the Chief Minister from 2019 to 2021.

"Tenders were called for constructing flats at Konadasapura and Bidarahalli in Bengaluru. While the tender amount was Rs 575 crore, Ramalingam Constructions had quoted Rs 675 crore. However, at the board meeting on November 21, 2017, the tender was given administrative approval in favour of Ramalingam Constrcutions for Rs 662.22 crore and subsequently a letter of acceptance was issued to the company, reportedly under pressure from then BDA chairperson ST Somasekhar," The FIR said as quoted by Times of India.

"Later, then BDA commissioner GC Prakash reportedly told Chandrakant Ramalingam that they have to pay Rs 12 crore to Yediyurappa and Vijayendra if the project has to be continued. Few days later, Chandrakant handed-over the cash.

"But for some unknown reasons, the amount didn't reach Vijayendra and a local news channel aired a recorded mobile phone conversation allegedly between the above accused persons. Further, Yediyurappa, his son and two other family members roped in seven companies to receive the kickbacks and corruption money through them. The accused carried out financial transactions of Rs 5.01 crore in a fraudulent way," the FIR further said.

(With PTI inputs)