Former chief minister of India's Karnataka acquitted in bribery case

A special court Wednesday acquitted former chief minister of India's southwestern state of Karnataka, B S Yeddyurappa in a corruption case, officials said.

Yeddyurappa was accused of accepting kickbacks for selling government land during his tenure between 2008 and 2011.

"A special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court today acquitted former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa along with 12 others in a bribery and corruption case involving his family members and a major steel company, Jindal Steel Works (JSW)," an official posted in Bengaluru city said.

The Karnataka Lokayukta (an anti-corruption ombudsman organization) had alleged that Yeddyurappa, his two sons, son-in-law and a steel conglomerate JSW were involved in criminal conspiracy, bribery, forgery and corruption in a case.

The acquitted also included his two sons and son-in-law in the case.

Prosecutors had accused Yeddyurappa of accepting kickbacks worth 5.98 million U.S. dollars for favoring mining companies.

Yeddyurappa has helped Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) in making inroads in Karnataka and formed first government in the state. BJP otherwise does not have a strong presence in south India.

In August 2011, Yeddyurappa was forced to resign in wake of corruption charges against him.

"Justice is done, I stand vindicated. Thanks to all well wishers,friends and supporters who stood with me in my tough times," Yeddyurappa, who is at present state president of BJP wrote on twitter following the court verdict. Endit