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The Supreme Court on Friday directed the Central Empowerment Committee, which is looking into the illegal mining issue, to verify whether a Central Bureau of Investigation probe is necessary against former Karnataka chief minister B S Yeddyurappa and his sons.
A bench comprising Chief Justice S H Kapadia and Justices Aftab Alam and Swatantra Kumar issued the directive based on a petition seeking a probe against them.
The petitioners, while quoting the Lokayukta report on illegal mining, said that an allegation had been made against Yeddyurappa and his sons about taking a bribe.
The Lokayukta, in its report, stated that the former CM and his sons had taken monetary favours from business firm Adani and Sons and the Jindal Group, while allocating mining leases in Bellary.
The petitioners contended that the allegations were serious in nature and the probe should be handed over to the CBI.
The Supreme Court directed the CEC to study the application of the petitioners and decide on whether a CBI probe will be necessary. The CEC, which was formed by the SC to look into the issue of illegal mining, will have to decide on the CBI probe and report to the Supreme Court.