Tainted politicians get their Rajyotsava gift

The Lok Ayukta special court on Monday granted bail to Kolar Gold Fields (KGF) MLA Y Sampangi, who was caught red-handed by the Lok Ayukta police for accepting a bribe of Rs5 lakh in 2009.

After the completion of cross-examination of witnesses, Justice NK Sudhindra Rao granted bail to Sampangi on conditions that he should furnish a Rs1-lakh bond with two sureties. Sampangi must surrender his passport in three days. Also, he must desist from—directly or indirectly—contacting the witnesses. If any of these conditions are violated, bail will be cancelled, said the judge. 

Sampangi was trapped red-handed by the Lok Ayukta police for accepting a bribe of Rs5 lakh from Hussain Farooq, a businessman, on January 29, 2009. He was booked under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Earlier, Sampangi, after the arrest was not taken to judicial custody. He was taken to Nimhans on the grounds that he suffered from chest pain.

Thereafter, he managed to secure bail from the Lok Ayukta court, which granted bail on the condition that he should not influence the witnesses.

Farooq, who is a complainant, had filed an affidavit in the Lok Ayukta court last week, saying Sampangi had threatened him.

He said ever since Sampangi was released on bail in 2009, he has been receiving threats. Hence, he had filed an application of ‘mercy killing’ to the president. He also complained to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). Farooq also said such threats had led to deterioration of his mother’s health.

Farroq had also approached the high court seeking cancellation of Sampangi’s bail.