New Delhi/Bangalore:
Former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa claimed he will come out clean after the Supreme Court today ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe against him for nepotism, illegal land acquisition and favoring top mining companies.
The top court has asked the CBI to file its report by August 3, asking it to probe the allegations that the Prerna Trust managed by members of Mr Yeddyurappa's immediate family received a huge donation from the mining company favoured by him. The role of South West Mining company, a Jindal Group company will also be probed.
The Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice SH Kapadia also stayed all the proceedings relating to the matter before any court in Karnataka.
Mr Yeddyurappa, while welcoming the Supreme Court order, said, "political conspiracy hatched against me has made me an accused in illegal mining though it is I who stopped it. I am facing the trouble after doing good work. I know how to come out of this political labyrinth."
He also said, "the Supreme Court has ordered probe into illegal mining that pertained to my tenure as Chief Minister. I request the Prime Minister to order CBI probe into the issue since 2000 till my regime."
A central empowered committee of the Supreme Court had earlier recommended a CBI probe against Mr Yeddyurappa.
The panel had suggested that the CBI should investigate in detail, alleged misuse of office by Mr Yeddyurappa as the chief minister, noting that prima facie massive illegalities seemed to have taken place, including serious violation of rules to de-notify agricultural land, allowing the BJP leader's relatives to make a huge windfall when they resold de-notified land at an enormous profit.