Bengaluru: The four accused that are in custody in connection with the Lokayukta bribery case will remain in prison as the Supreme Court extended the stay given to a Karnataka High court order granting them bail, on Monday.

The High Court had granted conditional bail for four weeks to four accused. The accused in custody are suspended Lokayukta Joint Commissioner (PRO) Syed Riyaz, journalist M B Srinivasa Gowda, Ashok Kumar and Shankare Gowda. Special Investigation Team (SIT) which is probing the case had arrested the four involved in the case.

The Apex Court had stayed the HC order in response to a plea of the SIT, which had challenged the HC order citing the fear that the accused could threaten or influence witnesses.

The bench headed by Chief Justice H L Dattu heard the case on Monday.