BENGALURU: The High Court on Monday ordered a notice to the Lokayukta police after hearing the petition filed by Sunil Bose, son of PWD Minister Dr H C Mahadevappa, and his accomplice Raju.
Justice H Billappa also ordered a notice to one Basavaraju, the complainant. Both Bose and his accomplice and businessman Raju have challenged the notice issued by a local court in Mysuru over a bribe case related to illegal sand transportation. This was after allowing the application filed by Basavaraju stating that only one Alphonsus was charged with the crime. In their petition, the accused have contended that the court cannot take cognizance of the same offence twice.
The case so far
On March 25, 2010, an FIR was lodged with the Lokayukta police, Bengaluru Rural, by Basavaraju stating that he is an employee of T Nadakrishna who holds permit for transportation of sand issued by the Mines and Geology Department.
On March 23, 2010, he applied for a permit to transport 200 truck loads of sand from Akkuru village of T Narasipura taluk and also paid the official `50 per truck load. Accordingly, the Department of Mines and Geology, Mysuru, issued 200 permits.
On the same day, senior geologist of the department V J Alphonsus called Basavaraju and allegedly demanded a bribe of `1 lakh every month, saying that the money is to be paid to Sunil Bose. Basavaraju was asked to pay the amount immediately or his employer will not be permitted to continue sand transportation from T Narasipura.
The Lokayukta police of Bengaluru Rural registered an FIR and set a trap for Alphonsus on March 27, 2010.
This is when he was caught red-handed accepting the bribe.