July 27: The Lokayukta Mining Report 2, officially submitted by the state’s ombudsman Lokayukta Justice N. Santosh Hegde to the government on Wednesday, recommends the prosecution of Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa under the Prevention of Corruption Act, marking what many say could be the end of Mr Yeddyurappa’s tenure as the first BJP chief minister of Karnataka who has consistently maintained his innocence.

A copy of the report was later sent to the Governor, “the only competent authority to take action against the Chief Minister,” Justice Hegde acknowledged at a press briefing where he officially revealed that the report names the Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, his cabinet colleagues, including the mining czars, the once powerful Reddy brothers, Health Minister Sriramulu, Housing minister V. Somanna, former Chief Minister and JD(S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy, Congress politician Anil Lad and Bellary based BJP MLA Nagendra.

With this, Mr Yeddyurappa becomes the first ever chief minister in the state to be indicted by the Lokayukta under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act and against whom prosecution has been recommended. Justice Hegde detailing the charges said, “There is sufficient evidence to show that the Chief Minister’s family received donations from a mining company for reasons other than genuine reasons. South West Mining Company of Jindal group donated Rs 10 crore to the trust owned by the CM’s sons and also bought an acre of land in Rachenahalli for an abnormal amount of Rs 20 crore.”

“The transaction is through cheques and at this time, a file for the approval of the application of this company is waiting to be forwarded to the centre. Now, I find it extremely difficult to understand the act of buying an acre of land for which the guidance value would not have been more than Rs 1.45 crore and then receive a donation also,” Justice Hedge said. He also said there were several discrepancies in the sale and purchase of land besides an abnormally high price for which the sale was made. The Lokayukta announced after the report was submitted to the state government, that a copy was sent to Raj Bhavan. “Under Lokayukta act if any action has to be taken against the CM it should be the Governor. I hope the Governor will take appropriate action. The Governor is the competent authority to take action against a Chief Minister,” Justice Hedge said.