A Special Forest bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice S.H. Kapadia, asked the CBI to carry out the probe against former Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa for his alleged role in the illegal allotment of mining leases in the state, uninfluenced by the stature of the person and his political clout, and file its report by August 3.

It has been alleged that Yeddyurappa granted undue favors to firms involved in illegal mining in lieu of donations to a charitable trust run by his kin.

The apex court also asked all other courts and authorities dealing with this case or hearing any litigation relating to this to hold their hands till further orders from court.

The Supreme Court's order came after it accepted the April 20 report of the Central Empowered Committee which had pointed out several allegations against Yeddyurappa and corporate entities involving big industrial houses like Jindals and Adanis.

The apex court verdict is a huge blow for Yeddyurappa who has been pressuring the Bharatiya Janata Party leadership to reinstate him as Karnataka Chief Minister. He was compelled to step down last year after allegations about his role in illegal mining rocked the state assembly.