From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Jun 6: The CBI Special Court’s judge D R Venkat Sudarshan on Wednesday reserved orders on the pleas for grant of bail by former Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, his sons B Y Raghavendra and B T Vijayendra and son-in-law R N Sohan Kumar in the illegal mining case registered against them by the CBI.

The court, which heard arguments by CBI counsel Ashok Bhan and senior counsel for the petitioners Ashok Haranahalli, did not indicate when the orders will be pronounced.

Yeddyurappa and his sons and son-in-law had filed bail applications apprehending arrest in the illegal mining case registered against them by the CBI.

Raghavendra is the ruling BJP’s Lok Sabha member from Shimoga.

The CBI has registered an FIR against Yeddyurappa and others after the Supreme Court directed it on May 11 to probe charges of granting undue favours to firms involved in illegal mining in lieu of donations to a charitable trust run by his kin.

Subsequently, the CBI conducted raids at the residential and other premises of Yeddyurappa and his family members.

Bhan, quoting case diaries placed before the court, submitted Rs 20 crore was transferred by Jindal Steel Works (JSW) to Prerana Educational and Social Trust, run by Yeddyurappa’s sons.

This was subsequently transferred to Vivekananda Trust, of which Yeddyurappa is a trustee.

The CBI was probing the charges of conspiracy cheating, corruption and violation of Karnataka Land (Restriction on Transfer)Act, 1991, registered against Yeddyurappa, his sons, son-in-law, JSW and others on a directive by the Supreme Court, the counsel said.

Bhan further submitted that after Yeddyurappa demitted office as Chief Minister and prior to his tenure, no contribution was made to the Prerana Trust.

He contended that Yeddyurappa wielded considerable influence over the State Government and his son was a Lok Sabha member from the ruling BJP and said they should not be granted bail.