Today, the Karnataka Lok Ayukta approached the Supreme Court for an urgent hearing of a bribery case against Madal Virupakshappa (BJP MLA). The top Court was approached by Lok Ayukta because of the order of the Karnataka High Court, granting interim anticipatory bail to BJP MLA in a bribery case. While hearing the matter today, the Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud agreed to list the matter on March 17, 2023. The counsel urged CJI to list the matter for today itself if possible; therefore, CJI Chandrachud (heading Constitution bench today) asked the counsel to mention the case before Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul. The matter was then listed before Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, who ordered to list the matter as soon as possible without mentioning any particular date.
In this case, BJP MLA was accused of demanding illegal gratification for processing a tender in Karnataka Soaps & Detergents Ltd by Lok Ayukta police. They registered an FIR against him for offences under Section 7(a) of the PC (Amended) Act, 2018. Further, Nadal Virupakshappa’s son (V Prashanth Madal) was caught accepting a bribe of Rs. 40 lakhs. Further, a single judge bench of the Karnataka High Court granted interim anticipatory bail to Madal Virupakshappa on March 7 on a condition to not enter the premises of Karnataka Soaps & Detergents Ltd till further orders and to furnish a personal bond of Rs. Five lakhs. Following this, an ex-parte ad-interim order was passed by a civil Court in Bengaluru to restrain media houses from publishing defamatory opinions against the BJP MLA Virupakshappa regarding bribery charges.
Also Read: Legal Articles