The CBI is likely to submit an interim report on Friday in the case related to alleged land denotification in Rachenahalli and kickbacks received by the kith and kin of former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa from South West Mining Company. The Supreme Court had directed the agency to file a final report by August 3 while ordering for a probe. Sources said the agency will seek time to complete the probe and file a final report. Sources in the agency said the report will quote some ‘technical problems’ in filing a final report. The CBI has so far recorded the statements of 38 people in connection with the case.
The pace of investigation has drastically dipped since the CBI took up investigation of the sensational case against former CM. The Supreme Court ordered a CBI inquiry on May 11 and the agency registered FIR on May 15 against Mr Yeddyurappa and others under Sections 120 (b), 409, 420 of IPC, Sections 7, 13 (2), 13(1) (c) (d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act and Section 9 of Karnataka Land (Restriction on Transfer) Act. The CBI conducted searches at various places belonging to Mr Yeddyurappa and also Southwest Mining Company offices the next day. Sources say the CBI will seek time to complete the investigation into the case as no additional documents were found during the raids. The High Court had granted anticipatory bail to Mr Yeddyurappa on June 21 and the CBI filed an appeal before the Supreme Court on July 31. The CBI may submit that the accused was not cooperating with the investigation. It may be recalled that the CBI, while objecting to anticipatory bail application, had made it clear that custodial interrogation would be necessary.
On May 11, the Supreme Court green bench headed by Chief Justice of India S.H. Kapadia had posted the matter to August 3.
The CBI will have to submit the report to the CBI special court and jurisdictional court with a copy to the Supreme Court.