New Delhi, Mar 14 (FN Bureau) The Karnataka Lokayukta has moved the Supreme Court challenging an order of the Karnataka High Court granting interim anticipatory bail to BJP Bharatiya MLA Madal Virupakshappa in a corruption case. However, the apex court was in no mood to take the matter for hearing on an urgent basis and said that the case would be listed as early as possible, but did not specify any date. “What is the urgency in this? Is an issue to cancel anticipatory bail? List as early as possible….High Court has applied its mind na..Here it is cancellation of bail being sought. What is this (urgency)?” the Court asked. The matter is being heard by Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Aravind Kumar and Ahsanuddin Amanullah.Earlier the matter was referred to Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud who asked the Lokayukta’s counsel to mention it before the next senior most judge Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul since he was sitting as part of Constitution bench. The Lokayukta is challending the order passed by Justice K Natarajan of Karnataka High Court on March 7, granting bail to Virupakshappa while directing him to cooperate with the probe. Virupakshappa had moved the High Court in a case filed against him by the Lokayukta police.
Earlier, on March 4, a special court in Bengaluru had remanded five people, including Prashant Madal who is Virupakshappa’s son, to fourteen days of judicial custody for accepting a bribe. Prashanth, who is the Joint Controller of the State Accounts Department, was occupying post of Chief Accountant in the Bengaluru Jal Board. He was allegedly caught by the Lokayukta Police taking a bribe of 40 lakh to award a contract to supply chemicals to the Karnataka Soap and Detergent Factory (KSDL).The complaint was filed by one Shreyas Kashyap, who owns a partnership company called Chemicals Corporation in Bengaluru, after having successfully participated in the tender process in January 2023 to supply chemical oil to KSDL.Kashyap complained to the Lokayukta Police that the MLA and his son had demanded a bribe of 81 lakh to release the mandate and money. A case was registered against Prashant and Virupakshappa under Section 7(a) and 7(b) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The MLA is the first accused while son is the second accused in the case. Later, Prashant and four others were arrested on bribery charges. They were produced before Judge B Jayanthakumar and sent to judicial custody on March 2. Later, Virupakshappa moved the High Court for anticipatory bail which was allowed.