In a major relief to former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa and his sons B Y Raghavendra, B Y Vijayendra and son-in-law Sohan Kumar, the High Court on Tuesday allowed their application seeking relaxation of bail conditions.
Justice Subhash B Adi granted him conditional relaxation and observed, “The petitioner, being a representative of people, needs to travel frequently. Therefore, the petition seeking relaxation of bail conditions is allowed.”
However, Yeddyurappa has been directed to inform the investigation agency in advance of his itinerary.
Accordingly, he will have to leave the address of his whereabouts with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). If the CBI demands his presence for investigation, he should be present before it within 24 hours.
The CBI stated that it had no objections to the relaxation of bail conditions, if the former chief minister and his kin co-operate with the investigation.
Yeddyurappa and his family are facing a CBI investigation over illegal mining and alleged kickbacks received for granting mining licences, based on the direction of the Supreme Court.
The CBI had challenged the advance bail granted by the High Court through a special leave petition before the Supreme Court, which was rejected by the apex court in the first week of August.
After this, the former chief minister had moved the High Court seeking relaxation in bail conditions.
State-wide tour
Yeddyurappa will soon set out on a month-long tour of the State, with the High Court relaxing his bail conditions and allowing him to travel out of Bangalore.
The tour schedule wil be finalised in a couple of days, said sources close to Yeddyurappa.
In the first leg of the tour, the former chief minister wants to visit drought-hit and flood-affected places.
Yeddyurappa said the aim of his tour was to strengthen the BJP, assess the mood of the people and try to regain some of the party’s lost ground.
The former chief minister may use the tour to test the political waters, before deciding on the future course of action, ahead of the Assembly elections.
Yeddyurappa has been frequenting the BJP office in Malleswaram and interacting with party members.
According to sources, if Yeddyurappa’s tour turns out to be a success, he may revive his demand to become the State president of the party.