State Appears To Be Shielding Main Accused Who Haven't Been Summoned In ₹100 Crore Bhovi Corporation "Scam" Probe: Karnataka HC

While hearing a matter seeking transfer of probe in the over Rs 100 crore Bhovi Development Corporation "scam", the Karnataka High Court on Thursday (December 19) observed that the state government appeared to be shielding the main accused who has not been summoned for investigation and have neither secured bail.

Justice M Nagaprasanna was hearing a petition filed by two accused Yashaswini M and another seeking transfer of investigation to the CBI, who submitted that the probe was not done properly.

The bench in its order noted that the crime was registered on March 18, 2023, initially against 8 accused and now 14 accused are there in the case. Even according to the prosecutor, the unearthing of documents today in this Bhovi corporation has projected a huge scam of Rs 100 crore and above.

Further, it said, “In the said crime it is alleged by the petitioner who accused no 7 and 8 that the main culprits accused no 1, 2, 3 and 5 are not even summoned for investigation for last 20 months and they have not secured bail from any court for last 20 months and today they are neither called for investigation nor taken into custody as is done in everybody else's case.”

Following this the court said, “Therefore, the state appears to be shielding the accused no 1, 2,3 and 5 who are at large, neither appearing for investigation as they are not summoned notwithstanding the fact that they have not secured bail from the competent court till today".

Therefore it is a fit case as to why investigation should not be handed over to an independent agency as the state appears to be acting with a snail's pace in a scam of such a huge magnitude, it said.

Thus it directed the state government to by the next date produce all the records of the accused–A1, A2, A3, and A-5, their participation in the investigation or any bail secured by them. “Failing which, this court would be constrained to pass necessary orders,” it said.

Orally the court also observed that the Deputy Police Commissioner who has abetted the suicide of a particular person is still not arrested. It orally said, “This is the way the state is functioning with the scams, less said the better.”

The court posted the matter for further hearing on January 6, 2025.