The Karnataka High Court dismissed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s petition on Tuesday, challenging the approval granted by Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot to investigate alleged irregularities in the allotment of sites to his wife by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA).
In a ruling by Justice Nagaprasanna, the court stated that the order for prosecution did not show any signs of the Governor’s non-application of mind. Siddaramaiah had questioned the legality of the sanction issued by the Governor, which allowed for an investigation under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act and prosecution under Section 218 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
The Governor had granted this sanction on August 17 in response to applications from Bengaluru-based social activists Pradeep Kumar SP and TJ Abraham, along with Mysuru-based activist Snehamayi Krishna. The allegations claim that MUDA improperly allotted 14 sites in prime areas of Mysuru city to Siddaramaiah’s wife.
The High Court had previously issued an interim order on August 19, temporarily relieving Siddaramaiah by instructing a special court in Bengaluru to suspend further proceedings and avoid any immediate actions based on the Governor’s sanction.
On August 31, the Karnataka Governor’s office informed the High Court that the sanction for prosecuting Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the alleged MUDA scam was granted after careful consideration.
The BJP’s state unit welcomed the verdict, calling for Siddaramaiah’s resignation as Chief Minister. They stated, “Satyameva Jayate! The High Court’s decision to allow prosecution against CM Siddaramaiah, who is accused of illegally seizing land meant for Dalits and the poor, is a positive development. Congress leaders have resorted to low-level politics to obscure their corruption. The court’s ruling reinforces that corruption has no place in India. If Siddaramaiah respects the law, the constitution, and the court, he should resign immediately.”