CBI to start Yeddyurappa probe by next week

A specially-constituted team of the Central Bureau of Investigation will commence it probe as per the Supreme Court directive against former Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa next week.

The team is likely to visit Karnataka and commence its probe against Yeddyurappa in connection with charges of land de-notification, nepotism and also illegal mining

Sources say that the CBI would collect documents pertaining to the case first following which questioning of the various persons alleged to be involved in the case would also be questioned.

However, there is trouble ahead for those close to the Bharatiya Janata Party leader as they too will fall under the CBI net. The probe is expected to be on the lines of investigation of the YSR Congress leader Jagan Mohan Reddy case in which a lot of close associates were taken into custody and questioned.

In this case, while probing the angle of nepotism, the CBI is likely to probe the financial details and if the need be also seize the bank accounts of those involved in the case. This case, sources in the CBI say would fast-tracked as they would need to file a report before the SC by August 3.

"However, in case the probe is incomplete then we may seek extension," the source added.

Karnatake CM reacts:

Chief Minister of Karnataka Sadananda Gowda however towed a soft line while commenting on the verdict. He said it is only a probe and not an indictment. "I can only hope that Yeddyurappa comes out clean," he said.

Yeddyurappa too told the media that he will come out clean. "It was me who stopped illegal mining in the state. Let the prime minister constitute a committee to probe the issue. I am innocent," he added.