Karnataka High Court denies bail to middleman for cheating politicians, businessmen and a Former High Court Judge

Karnataka High Court denies bail to middleman for cheating politicians, businessmen and a Former High Court Judge

The Karnataka High Court (HC) in the case titled Yuvaraj (Petitioner) v. State of Karnataka (Respondent) denied bail to Yuvaraj, who has been accused in multiple cases of allegedly cheating politicians, businessmen, and an Ex-High Court judge.

The single-judge of the HC Justice K Natarajan noted that an Ex-Karnataka High Court judge's made an attempt to secure the post of Governor by paying a bribe to a middleman. The HC stated that the said act of the former Judge lowered the prestige of Judges and the image of the Governor's post.

The factual matrix of the case is that the petitioner had approached the HC for seeking bail in different crimes registered against him by the Cyber Crime Police, High Grounds Police, and Jnanabharathi Police for the offenses punishable under Sections 406, 418, 419, 420, 504 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC) and under Section 66 of the Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act).

In December 2020, the petitioner was arrested by Bengaluru police for allegedly cheating several people of crores of rupees by promising them high positions in the government.

It was also alleged that a former HC Judge had paid the accused a bribe of Rs 8.5 crore through RTGS and cash. Later, the petitioner was arrested by the police and the ex-judge filed a police complaint alleging that she was cheated.

The Court, after going through the details of each case registered against the accused, went on to note that Yuvaraj appeared to be a middleman having contacts with ministers but is suppressing the names of persons to whom he has paid money for securing posts.

The HC said that "Looking to the entire facts and circumstance of the case, I am of the view that if this petitioner is granted bail, he will tamper with the prosecution witnesses, and committing similar offences is not ruled out. He is a very influential person and he may threaten the prosecution witnesses and cause hurdle to the investigation by the Police."

It added that "If he is granted bail, there will be a wrong message sent to the Society that a person having money can buy post in the Government. Hence, he does not deserve for grant of any bail."

The HC stated that it is also most unfortunate that a former Judge of the High Court has paid a bribe to the petitioner for securing the Post of Governor which act of the complainant not only lowered the prestige of a Judge but also affect the image of Governor's post.

The Court rejected the bail and concluded, "The petitioner is notorious and having so much influence with the political parties and cheating the persons under the guise of providing posts in government organizations and that too to the level of assuring for providing post of governor. Such being the case, I am of the view that the petitioner is not entitled to bail in all the petitions."