Bribery case: BJP MLA Madal Virupakshappa gets anticipatory bail, can't enter KS&DL office

BENGALURU: The Karnataka HC on Tuesday granted anticipatory bail to Madal Virupakshappa, BJP MLA who represents Channagiri constituency, in connection with a bribery case related to a tender issued by state-run Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Ltd (KS&DL).
While specifying that the order will be in force till disposal of the petition, Justice K Natarajan directed Virupakshappa to surrender/appear before the probe officer within 48 hours of receipt of the order copy and cooperate with the investigation.
The court ordered the petitioner to furnish Rs 5 lakh bail bond with surety for like sum. He has been banned from entering KS&DL office. The judge posted the matter to March 17 for further consideration.
Counsel for Virupakshappa had argued that the petitioner, as chairman of KSDL, had nothing to do with the tender-accepting authority headed by the MD.
He argued that except being named as accused no. 1, there is no allegation of demand and acceptance against the petitioner and added that the reputation of the petitioner, a fourtime MLA, will be at stake if he were to be arrested. The Lokayukta counsel opposed the petition, arguing that both the interim and final prayer are the same.
He said as per averments in the remand application, the complainant stated that the bribe money was paid to accused no. 2 (Prashanth Madal) as per a demand (Rs 81 lakh) made by the petitioner. However, Virupakshappa, in his petition, stated the case was made out just to harass him.