SM Krishna moves Karnataka High for quashing of FIR, complaint against him

A day after he was booked by the Lok Ayukta police, External Affairs Minister SM Krishna today filed petition in the Karnataka High Court seeking quashing of the private complaint accusing him of facilitating illegal mining during his chief ministership.

Krishna also sought quashing of the FIR filed by the Lok Ayukta police and a stay on the proceedings before the Lok Ayukta court, contending "no offence" had been made out against him in the complaint.

The reference made by the Lokayukta court directing a probe into the allegations against him was "bad in law", he said.

On a direction from the Lok Ayukta court, the Lok Ayukta Police yesterday registered an FIR against Krishna, who was the chief minister from 1999 to 2004, and his successors N Dharam Singh, JD(S) chief HD Kumaraswamy and 11 officials.

Allowing the private complaint by a social activist TJ Abraham, who alleged that Krishna and others facilitated illegal mining for pecuniary gains, Lok Ayukta judge NK Sudhindra Rao on December 3 directed the Lok Ayukta police to investigate and submit a report by January 6.

Abraham had submitted that his complaint was based on the report on illegal mining presented to the government by then Lok Ayukta Santosh Hegde in August.

Krishna's petition is expected to be listed for hearing early next week.