Bangalore:
Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa is meeting with his ministers at his residence currently to discuss their next move following Governor HR Bhardwaj's sanction for his prosecution.
Earlier in the day, Karnataka Law Minister Suresh Kumar and a few other cabinet ministers met the Governor to seek a copy of his order according sanction for prosecuting Yeddyurappa.
"We came to know through the media last night that the Governor had given sanction for the Chief Minister's prosecution. The Chief Minister wrote to the Governor in the night itself demanding for a copy of his order. But we didn't get it. In the morning also we didn't get it. That is when a team went to the Raj Bhawan and requested for the copy and got it," Suresh Kumar said.
(Read: Yeddyurappa's letter to the Governor following prosecution sanction)On Friday, Governor Bhardwaj sanctioned the prosecution of Yeddyurappa following several allegations of his involvement in land scams.
A Raj Bhavan communique said the sanction was accorded under Section 19 (1) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and Section 197 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973. However, the communique did not mention about the petition filed by Lawyers Forum, which had also sought permission to prosecute Home Minister R Ashoka, alleging involvement in land denotification scam.
Reacting to the prosecution sanction, Yeddyurappa said the Governor is behaving as an agent of Congress and the JDS. "This is nothing but a broad day light murder of democracy and justice," he said. (
Read: Press statement by Yeddyurappa)
Earlier this week, the cabinet asked the Governor not to sanction the prosecution of the Chief Minister requested by a group of lawyers, who want to formally take up allegations of corruption against Mr Yeddyurappa. The Governor said the request by the cabinet was 'like a thief' requesting the police to not take action against him. (
Read: 'Thief' remark by Governor angers Yeddyurappa) (
Watch)
Following the prosecution sanction, the BJP said the Governor is acting like the prosecutor himself. (
Read: BJP calls for a statewide bandh)
"The BJP strongly condemns as constitutionally improper and politically motivated the action of Governor of Karnataka in granting sanction for prosecution against the Chief Minister of Karnataka and his cabinet colleagues," Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley said. (
Watch) BJP spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy warned the Congress that this precedent of the Governor sanctioning an order to prosecute the chief minister will cost them heavily.
However, Karnataka Lokayukta (anti-corruption watchdog) Santosh Hegde says Governor H R Bhardwaj was within his rights to grant sanction to prosecute Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa on corruption charges. (
Watch)
"Legally speaking, the Governor has the power to grant or refuse sanction despite the cabinet's resolution. He is empowered to do so", he said.
"Though the Governor has to go by the advice of the cabinet, there are exceptions where he can act independently and should act independently", he said, citing earlier rulings.
Law Minister Veerappa Moily also said that the Governor has the authority to sanction the prosecution of the Chief Minister.
(Watch)"No one is above the rule of law. Chief ministers don't enjoy immunity. Corruption of Yeddyurappa is on record," he said.