New Delhi, Sep 23 (TIWN): In a big relief to former Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa, the Supreme Court on Friday stayed the investigation by the state Lokayukta police into allegations of graft against the BJP leader. The former CM is accused of accepting a bribe in exchange for awarding a Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) contract to Ramalingam Construction Company Private Limited.

A bench comprising Justices DY Chandrachud and Hima Kohli also issued a notice and asked the state to file a counter affidavit within four weeks.

The petitioner’s plea in the SC challenged the recent high court ruling that reinstated a private complaint against Yediyurappa, his son, and BJP state vice-president BY Vijayendra and others over corruption allegations.

On September 8, the Karnataka High Court had allowed the petition of social activist TJ Abraham, after having set aside the complaint last year on the grounds that it required the governor’s sanction as Yediyurappa was still the chief minister then.