Bangalore:
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will start probing corruption charges against former Karnataka chief minister BS Yeddyurappa in connection with the mining scam.
The investigating agency filed an FIR in the case today against Mr Yeddyurappa, his two sons and son-in-law.
A special nine-member team has been constituted for the probe.
Last week, the Supreme Court ordered a CBI probe against the BJP leader for "serious illegalities" in mining activities in which he allegedly "misused his public office" for monetary benefits by extending favours to certain companies.
The illegal mining case has plunged the Karnataka BJP into turmoil since Mr Yeddyurappa was forced to quit in July last year after he was indicted for corruption in a report on illegal mining submitted last year by the state's Lokayukta or ombudsman.
Yesterday, the Karnataka strongman offered his party some breathing space by declaring that he is not quitting the BJP just yet. However, he made it clear he has the support of 70 of the party's 121 MLAs, and that they remain loyal to him. Mr Yeddyurappa also reasserted his demand that current chief minister, Sadananda Gowda, be replaced.
Nine months ago it was Mr Yeddyurappa who hand-picked Mr Gowda as his successor. He now wants the head of the government to be picked from his Lingayat community.
Mr Yeddyurappa has blamed the current crisis in the Karnataka branch of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Mr Gowda and political opponents KS Eshwarappa, who is the party chief in the state, and senior leader Ananth Kumar. He also said that he has been betrayed because the BJP has failed to deliver on its promise to reinstate him as chief minister.