Yeddy ready with ill-health excuse

Desperate for anticipatory bail in mining cases, ex-CM shells out Rs 4 crore on lawyers

With the trial in the infamous mining scam case starting next week, former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa has embarked on a tried and tested method of seeking refuge from the course of law, citing medical grounds.

If the tension of impending corruption cases has his blood pressure shooting up, inflated lawyers' bills -- amounting to around Rs 4 crore so far -- have put his financial health in danger, literally making his heart sink.



According to sources close to the former CM, Yeddy got admitted to Sagar Appollo Hospital, co-owned by his aide and BJP MLA Hemachandra Sagar, a week before his trial in a series of cases begins. This he did apparently, to seek anticipatory bail, citing medical grounds.

Yeddy has already applied for anticipatory bail in two cases, including one of irregularities in awarding civil works contract in an irrigation project. The Lokayukta police have filed an FIR naming him as the main accused in the case and also in one of the five cases lodged by lawyers Sirajin Basha and K N Balaraj.

Today, the HC will hear the bail petition.

The irrigation project graft case is scheduled for hearing on September 3. In the second case, the Lokayukta special court has issued summons to Yeddyurappa to appear before the court on August 27. In the third case, the court is recording the statement of the accused. The rest are yet to be taken up for hearing.

The Lokayukta has directed the Lokayukta police to investigate cases mentioned in its report indicting Yeddyurappa. The report also mentioned a trust run by Yeddyurappa's sons accepted donations from steel companies. Lokayukta Shivaraj Patil signaled the start of the investigation on Saturday.

However, the petition filed by Yeddyurappa questioning the governor's sanction to prosecute is expected to come up for hearing today. The BJP leader's petition seeking quashing the Lokayukta report is pending in the HC.

After being released from hospital, the BJP leader went for a walk in Lal Bagh yesterday. He also savoured masala dosas at MTR Hotel and later spent the day consulting lawyers at his residence.

Hefty fees
According to sources, the mounting lawyers' bill is also robbing Yeddyurappa of sleep. While the associates of senior counsel Ravi B Nayak are handling majority of the cases, party colleague and noted lawyer Ram Jetmalani is appearing for Yeddyurappa in a case, seeking quashing of the governor's order.

Though exact figures were not known, Jetmalani charges Rs 40 lakh per appearance, while Ravi B Nayak is charging around Rs 3 crore for defending him in four other cases.

He will be sent to jail if bail is rejected in any of the cases and kept under judicial custody as an under trail prisoner.