Fever gives Yeddyurappa the chills; he skips hearing

Former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa did not appear before the Lok Ayukta special court on Saturday, citing hypertension, diabetes, and high fever.

The court has granted him exemption from personal appearance only for Saturday, and has clearly asked him to appear before the court on Monday.

The Lok Ayukta special court, on August 8, had issued summons to Yeddyurappa to appear before the court on Saturday regarding a complaint filed by advocate Sirajin Basha over the alleged land denotification.

Basha had filed five complaints under sections 190 and 200 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) against the former chief minister and his family in the lower court.

On August 16, the Lok Ayukta police issued summons to Yeddyurappa, ordering him to appear before its special court on Saturday.

However, when the case came up for hearing, Ravi B Naik, Yeddyurappa’s counsel, filed an application under Section 205 of the CrPC, seeking exemption from personal appearance before the court.

Yeddyurappa, in his application, claimed that he suffers from hypertension and diabetes and that he has been advised by doctors to take rest and not aggravate the health problems further.
CH Hanumantharaya, counsel for respondent Sirajin Basha, argued that there is no mention in the application that Yeddyurappa had fever. Further, the reason mentioned for non-appearance due to hypertension and diabetes lacks credibility. “If it’s true, it has to be supported through proper documents,” he said.

Naik, however, objected to this statement and reiterated that Yeddyurappa has not been able to make his appearance in the court because of his ailments.

Judge Sudhindra Rao observed that, in the context of circumstances, no prejudice will be earned and it is just and proper to grant him exemption from appearance only for Saturday. He has, however, directed that Yeddyurappa must be present in the court on Monday.