Yesterday, sessions court in Bengaluru granted bail to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Madal Virupakshappa accused in the alleged bribery case. He was arrested on March 27, by the Karnataka Lokayukta police following the High Court rejecting his anticipatory bail application.

Additional City Civil and Session Judge, B. Jayantha Kumar, granted bail to Madal on him executing a personal bond for a sum of Rs.5,00,000 (Rupees Five lakh only) with two sureties for the like-sum.

However, the court directed Virupakshappa not to visit the factory and office premises of Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Ltd, of which he was the chairman. On April 10, the same court had rejected the bail petition of Prashant, a Karnataka State Audit and Accounts Services officer.

It said “The petitioner has undertaken to cooperate and assist in fair investigation and trial of the case. The police alleged that he has not cooperated during the investigation. But on this ground alone, his bail application cannot be rejected, as the police have not seized any amount from his hand.”

Further it said “The prosecution has also produced the statement of Dr.Mahesh.M. Managing Director of KSDL, which prima facie shows the involvement of accused No.1 and interference of accused No.2 in the tender process of KSDL. In spite of that, keeping the accused No.1 in custody for a long period, no purpose would be served to the prosecution and it is for the prosecution to investigate the source of the amount of Rs.6,10,30,000.”