Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)
Bangalore, Jun 28: In a verdict that was delivered on Monday June 27, the state High Court exonerated former state Chief Minister and JDS leader, S Bangarappa, of all charges relating to the famous Classik Computers case. In addition to Bangarappa, former minister, J Alexander, and Gopalakrishna, managing director of the company, have also been absolved of the charges levelled against them. They had been charged with entering into a criminal conspiracy to cause losses to the state government through this deal.
When he was the state Chief Minister, Bagarappa had cleared a proposal to buy 100 Apple Macintosh computers at a cost of Rs 1.53 crore by entering into an agreement with Classik Computers. This step was taken in 1992, purportedly to modernise government offices. The case was entrusted to Central Bureau of Investigation, after the CM was accused of buying computers at exorbitant rates which were much higher than the prevalent market rates.
After holding investigation, CBI had filed charge sheets against Bangarappa, Alexander, and Gopalakrishna in the special court. The special CBI court held them not guilty after hearing the case, for want of sufficient evidences to prove the charges. CBI had appealed to the High Court, questioning the special court’s decision.
High Court judge, Justice V Jagannath, who conducted the hearing, upheld the observations of the special court.