BENGALURU: The four accused in the Lokayukta corruption case, who were granted bail by the High Court, will have one more hurdle for their release as the Special Investigation Team probing the case has decided to approach the Supreme Court questioning the order.
The High Court last week granted conditional bail to Lokayukta Joint Commissioner (PRO) Syed Riyaz, journalist M B Srinivasa Gowda, Ashok Kumar and Shankare Gowda, who were arrested by the SIT. The court ordered that they should be released after the SIT files the chargesheet, as the counsel representing the SIT had objected to bail, saying the accused could threaten or influence the witnesses.
Following the high court order, it was just days before their release. But the SIT has now decided to challenge the high court order in the apex court. The SIT had written to the state government seeking permission to move the Supreme Court. It is learnt that the government has given its nod to the SIT to go ahead and appeal before the apex court.
“The decision was taken as the charges levelled against them are very serious. We are preparing the documents related to the case and the Supreme Court will be moved any day next week. We are hoping that the Supreme Court will stay the high court order so that the process to release the four will be stopped in case there is a delay in filing the chargesheet,” an official in the SIT said.
