The permission to launch criminal proceedings against BJP's first chief minister in south India was sought by two Bangalore advocates, Sirajin Bashan and K.N. Balaraj, on Dec. 28 following revelation that Yeddyurappa had favored his kin with prime land in and around Bangalore.

Bhardwaj noted that Bashan and Balaraj had sought his permission “under section 19(1) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and section 197 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 for prosecuting” Yeddyurappa “for various grave allegations of corruption and criminal misconduct.”

Their plea “has been considered by the governor of Karnataka and he has granted the sanction to prosecute the Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, by an order passed by him this evening,” the governor's office said in a release.

Section 197 of the Criminal Procedure Code deals with 'prosecution of Judges and public servants' while section 19(1) of the Prevention of Corruption Act deals with 'previous sanction necessary for prosecution' of public servants. There was no immediate reaction from Yeddyurappa or the BJP.

“We will let you know as soon as we take a decision,” BJP spokesperson S. Prakash said.

Bhardwaj's sanction comes despite Yeddyurappa's and his cabinet's strong objection to the governor even considering the plea of the advocates.

On Wednesday, Yeddyurappa had written a three-page letter demanding that Bhardwaj should not consider the plea as he was 'biased'. His letter was followed with a cabinet resolution which also cast doubts on Bhardwaj being 'fair and judicious' in his decision.

Earlier Friday, Yeddyurappa demanded an 'unconditional apology' from Bhardwaj for his sarcastic comment of 'ulta chor kotwal ko daante (a thief reprimanding the police)' remark in reference to the cabinet resolution.

Former prime minister and Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) chief H.D. Deve Gowda Friday described the governor’s sanction against Yeddyurappa as an “appropriate constitutional action.”

The governor had just done his “constitutional duty” and had examined the records before taking the action, Gowda told a TV channel.

The former prime minister said that media and public personalities had raised the issue of nepotism against Yeddyurappa for allotting prime land to his kin and kith.

“It (the governor's action) is not a political action, but an exercise of his constitutional authority by the governor,” Gowda added.