The Congress on Wednesday dubbed as "shocking" the acquittal of former Karnataka Chief Minister and state BJP President B.S. Yeddyurapppa by a Special CBI court in Bengaluru in a bribery case.
"We are stunned, surprised and shocked that serious allegations for which mounting evidence was provided to the CBI have been completely overlooked. This is clear case of political influence," Congress leader Sanjay Jha told IANS.
"The CBI under (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi government has become a convenient bureau of investigation, the way in which NIA (National Investigation Agency) has become Namo investigation agency," Jha said.
Attacking the BJP-led central government, the Congress leader said: "Currently, the institutions meant to investigate and furnish evidence are failing miserably in their task. It is evident that these are all under political influence."
Jha said Yeddyurappa will face the real test in public court, which will manifest itself in elections.
Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari wondered what the court could do when the prosecution had allegedly turned into defence in the case.
"In case of Yeddyuruppa, the prosecution became the defence; they ever vigorously pursued their (defence) case. There is a complete and absolute subversion of the instrumentalities of the Indian State. If there is, or was or continues to be, any open-and-shut case of corruption and misconduct, it is Yeddyuruppa's case," said Tewari.
On the other hand, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) hailed the court decision.
BJP National Secretary Shrikant Sharma told IANS: "We are happy that the court has acquitted him of all allegations."
"He has said earlier that the case against him was politically motivated," Sharma said.