BENGALURU: Former Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa, defending his government's decision to give sanction to file an FIR against then MLA and now deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar, said the decision of his government was based on the request made by the CBI and ED to file an FIR and had taken the approval of the advocate-general for the purpose.
He added that the present Siddaramaiah government was protecting Shivakumar by deciding to withdraw the sanction given and termed it as “illegal”.
"Let me be clear that it was not a sanction but a consent given by the state government,” he said.
Speaking to the media, outside his home in Bengaluru, Yediyurappa said the Enforcement Directorate had "conduced" such proceedings against DK Shivakumar independently and addressed a letter to the chief secretary stating that Shivakumar had violated the provisions of the prevention of corruption act and they had shared information with the CBI.
It had further requested suitable action by the state government, based on which the opinion of the advocate general was sought, said Yediyurappa.
"The opinion indicated that sanction was not required from the state. However, consent to the CBI investigation may be given by the state government at its discretion. Accordingly, the state government gave its consent for the investigation under section 6 of the Delhi special police establishment act since CBI cannot investigate without the state government,” said Yediyurappa, adding that once an investigation was initiated no authority can withdraw the same.
The former CM said Siddaramaiah government was a betrayal of the people of the state.
“We will discuss this issue in detail at the Belagavi winter session and will provide all the documents which we have,” he said.
On being asked whether the BJP will take the fight to the streets with protests and meeting the governor opposing the government decision, Yediyurappa dismissed it and said: “I do not think the decision of the cabinet will have any standing in the high court. Let us wait and see. We will fight it legally and if required we will provide all documents with us in this case.”
