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BS Yeddyurappa seeks 10 days to appear before ACB

Advocates of BJP state chief meet anti-corruption sleuths, request more time.

BENGALURU: BJP state president and former chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, who was summoned by the Anti-Corruption Bureau to appear before it for his questioning in the denotification case related to B. Shivarama Karanth Layout, did not turn up before the investigating agency on Saturday.

Instead, two advocates representing Mr Yeddyurappa met the ACB officials and reportedly requested them to give 10 days to their client. Sources in the ACB said that the advocates submitted a letter to the officials on behalf of Mr Yeddyurappa, seeking time.

“They have stated that the case is almost 10 years old and Mr Yeddyurappa was summoned on a very short notice. Mr Yeddyurappa will need a few more days to gather details of the case as he has to get the documents related to the case by applying through RTI. However, there was no official information from ACB officials to the advocates about the next date on which Mr Yeddyurappa will be called for inquiry, ”a source said.

Further, as Mr Yeddyurappa has moved the Karnataka High Court in connection with the case, it is learnt that the ACB officials will wait for a few more days before proceeding further.

Bureau denies allegations

Denying allegations by Basavarajendra that he was allegedly threatened by two DySPs of the Anti-Corruption Bureau to make a statement against former chief minister B. S. Yeddyurappa in the alleged illegal denotification case, ACB chief, DGP M.N. Reddi, has termed the allegations as “a feeble attempt to build false defence”.

Mr Reddi said, “The letter has been released by a key accused (Basavarajendra). who had issued illegal endorsements of 'Denotification', while working in the BDA. He was called for enquiry by the ACB officers on August 10. He appeared before the Investigation Officer. In case of 164 CrPc, the Magistrate asks the accused repeatedly whether the statement he wishes to make is voluntary or not. Therefore allegation of 'forcing an accused to give a voluntary statement before a Magistrate', is a contradiction in terms. And even if he was feeling threatened then why he did not approach the higher rank officers to lodge a complaint,” Mr Reddi questioned.

He stated, “He has issued this letter after a gap of 9 days that too after receiving a police notice as an accused along with other accused. It's a feeble attempt to build false defence. However if he has any grievance, we will look into it.”

( Source : Deccan Chronicle. )
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