Karnataka Lokayukta corruption case: Accused exchange blows in jail

BENGALURU: Parappana Agrahara central prison inmates witnessed an ugly fight between the two accused in the infamous Lokayukta corruption case during the lunch hour on Friday afternoon. Prison department sources said that journalist M.B. Srinivasa Gowda and his associate Shankare Gowda got into a verbal duel, which later escalated to fisticuffs.

“The incident took place around 1.30 pm and the duo was shifted to separate barracks following the incident. It is said that they were discussing about the statements they made before the SIT officials while in police custody. When they realised that they both had made statements against each other, a verbal duel broke out. Later they exchanged blows and even tore each others’ clothes. Other inmates and prison staff intervened and separated them,” the source explained.

It is said that both had made statements against each other before the investigating agency and it had led to a rift between them. “They were kept in the same barrack after they were remanded to judicial custody on July 31. From the day they were shifted to the prison, they were not talking to each other much. But during lunch hours on Friday, they were seen discussing about their case and it turned violent within a few minutes,” the source added.

Ashwin sent to judicial custody for 10 days

Lokayukta Justice Y Bhaskar Rao's son and prime accused in the Lokayukta corruption case, Ashwin Yerabati, has been remanded to judicial custody for 10 days, till August 17. Following the court order, he was taken to Parappana Agrahara central prison. As Ashwin’s police custody ended at 4.30 pm on Friday, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) officials produced him before the court on Friday evening. As the SIT officials did not make any further request for extension of his police custody, the Judge V G Bopaiah remanded him to the judicial custody.

Ashwin’s counsel requested the court to direct the prison authorities to provide him a separate cell citing his health problems. Refusing to do so, the judge told that it is left the prison superintendent and the accused could request the prison authority. “There are doctors in the prison hospital and they will take care of Ashwin’s health,” the judge told Ashwin’s counsel.

Later the police took Ashwin to Parappana Agrahara central prison. Meanwhile, the judge also adjourned the bail petitions filed by Ashwin till Monday. Ashwin, the accused number one in the Lokayukta corruption case, was picked up by the SIT officials from his flat in ‘C’ Block of Rainbow Vista Apartments in Moosapet in Hyderabad on July 27. He was produced before the court the next day and remanded to police custody for 10 days, till August 6.

On Thursday, the SIT had requested the court to extend his police custody citing they need to interrogate Ashwin and another accused Bhaskar alias 420 Bhaskar together. Extending the police custody, the court had directed the police to produce him before 4.30 pm on Friday. The SIT had also taken him to Hyderabad for three days.

Houses searched, no papers found

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Lokayukta corruption case had conducted search in the houses belonging to Lokayukta Justice Y Bhaskar Rao. However, official sources said no important documents or files were found.

SIT sources said that the search was conducted as part of the probe a few days ago in Bengaluru and Hyderabad. “It was decided earlier itself to search the official and private house of the Lokayukta, as there were allegations that the accused had called several government officials to the official residence of the Lokayukta. After obtaining the search warrants, the houses were raided,” the source said.

“Apart from the Lokayukta’s official residence on Crescent Road, three other houses in Hyderabad and an second-hand car dealing showroom run by Ashwin were raided. In Hyderabad, the house near Birla Temple, a house in Ameerpet and the flat in Rainbow Vista Apartments in Moosapet, from where Ashwin was picked up, were searched. Some of these houses are registered in the name of Lokayukta. Besides, Archana Motors, Ashin’s used cars firm was also raided. However, no documents or files related to the scam were found in any other places. Lokayukta Justice Rao was not there when we conducted raid on his residence,” the source explained.

However, the source said that the SIT had several other evidences to nail Ashwin in the case. “We have recorded the statements of several witnesses in the case and it would help us in framing charges against Ashwin,” the source added.

SIT grills Riyaz

A team of SIT officials questioned Lokayukta Joint Commissioner (PRO) Syed Riyaz at Parappana Agrahara central prison on Friday. It is said that the officials had to get his version on a few things related to the case and they questioned him for nearly an hour. Meanwhile, another accused V Bhaskar had reportedly revealed his nexus with other gang members and his role in the scam.