Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Sep 9: The state High Court (HC), which examined the bail applications moved by some of the accused in the infamous Lokayukta corruption case, granted bail to public relations officer of the institution, Syed Riaz, and three others, on Tuesday September 8. The bail will be effective from September 16.

As the officials of the Special Investigating Team (SIT) sought time to file charge sheet in the Lokayukta special court against the accused, the court granted conditional bail on Tuesday effective from September 16. Riaz, Ashok Kumar, Srinivas Gowda and Shankare Gowda were granted bail by the single judge bench of the HC chaired by Justice L Narayanaswamy.

After the advocates representing SIT said that investigation into the charges levelled against the accused is nearing completion, and based on their assurance that charge sheet would be filed within a week, the court made the bail effective from next Wednesday. The bench, while asking the SIT to file charge sheet before September 16, clarified that the accused can be released even if the charge sheet is not filed by then.

Advocates for the accused, in their arguments, said that Riaz has not been taking part in administrative duties of Lokayukta institution.They sought to assert that Riaz does not have anything to do with Ashwin Rao, son of the Lokayukta. They alleged that Riaz was arrested on the basis of rumours and that the officials had failed to adhere to rules and regulations before arresting him.

Senior advocate for SIT said that Riaz faces charges of being in constant contact with main accused in the case, and also holding secret dialogues with them. "He converted his public office into private office, and held talks only with a handful of people. There are charges on him of posing threats to officials and demanding for payment of bribe. As these things need to be investigated, bail should be not be granted now," he argued.

The judge, after hearing both the arguments, expressed dissatisfaction about inordinate delay in probe. He wanted to know from the advocates representing SIT as to why investigation has not bee completed, although Syed Riaz and others were arrested on July 27. He observed that SIT has been delaying probe, and it would not be possible to keep the accused in custody till the entire probe is concluded.

The judge, expressing regret at misusing of Lokayukta institution by certain people, observed that a number of senior judges and officials had worked hard to build Lokayukta into a credible institution. "Because of acts of the accused during the last couple years, the very image of the Lokayukta institution in the minds of the people has undergone a seachange. For sullying the image of the Lokayukta, these accused deserve to be kept behind bars for several years. However, as per law, their acts are bailable. Therefore, bail is being granted," he observed.