Karnataka Governor grants permission to prosecute CM Siddaramaiah in MUDA land scam case

CM Siddaramaiah

Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has granted permission to prosecute CM Siddaramaiah in MUDA scam, news agency PTI reported quoting sources.

"The Governor has granted sanction for prosecution against the Chief Minister. It is based on three petitions filed by T J Abraham, one Pradeep and Snehamayi Krishna," an official at the Raj Bhavan told PTI.

Based on a petition filed by advocate-activist T J Abraham, Karnataka Governor had issued a "showcause notice" on July 26 directing the CM to submit his reply to the allegations against him within seven days as to why permission for prosecution should not be granted against him.

In a U-turn, the special Cabinet meeting scheduled for August 17 at 5 PM will be held as planned. This meeting was first cancelled.

CM will legally fight the prosecution sanction accorded by the Governor, PTI reported.

Following this development, Large and Medium Industries Minister MB Patil said that the Governor is a puppet of the Central Government, and the Raj Bhavan has become an office of the BJP.

He criticised the Governor's decision to allow prosecution against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over the Muda scam, calling it part of a larger conspiracy by the BJP.

Speaking to the media, Patil said that despite pending requests for prosecution against leaders like HD Kumaraswamy and Sasikala Jolle for the past 18 months, the Governor showed undue interest in the baseless Muda scam. He accused the Central Government of playing vindictive politics in Karnataka, similar to what it has done in Delhi and Tamil Nadu. Patil condemned the attempt to target Siddaramaiah, pointing out that BJP leaders were involved in the Muda meeting when alternative plots were given to Siddaramaiah’s family.

Karnataka BJP President BY Vijayendra said: "The Governor has authorized legal action on the MUDA scam complaint against the Chief Minister. Given the serious allegations of corruption and favoritism, the Chief Minister should step down to allow for a transparent investigation and uphold the dignity of the office."

"We need to examine how permission to prosecute Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was granted. Despite our detailed explanation and the cabinet's advice, the Governor's decision indicates pressure from higher authorities. We will fight this legally. From the beginning, we've maintained that the Governor's office is being misused, and now it’s proven," said Dr. G Parameshwar.

Karnataka IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge accused the Central Government of orchestrating the Governor's decision to sanction CM Siddaramaiah's prosecution in the MUDA case. "Raj Bhavan is being misused as a BJP tool to undermine the elected government. We stand firm with the Constitution despite the Central Government's efforts"

Under the 50:50 incentive scheme of the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA), individuals who lost their land for the development of layouts are either given 50% of the sites or an alternative site.

Also Read | All about the MUDA ‘scam’ that rocked Karnataka assembly

Reports indicate multiple violations, such as individuals receiving more alternative sites than they were entitled to under the scheme.

Siddaramaiah’s wife, Parvathi, owned 3 acres of land in Kesare village of Mysuru. This land was acquired by MUDA for development, and compensatory sites were allotted to Siddaramaiah's wife in an upmarket area in Mysuru. It is alleged that the plot allotted to the Parvathi had higher property value as compared to the location of her land which had been "acquired" by the MUDA.

Siddaramaiah in July strongly defended himself in connection with the case and asserted that neither he or his family has any role in it.

He accused the opposition BJP and JD(S) of making politically motivated allegations against him out of "hate and revenge", with an intention to "put a black mark on his image", as they are unable to digest that he has become Chief Minister for the second time.

Recently, a government order instituting an inquiry under an IAS officer noted that there was prima facie suspicion of illegalities in the allocation of the sites.

The order stated that, instead of giving the sites to eligible beneficiaries, complaints were received about them being allotted to influential people and real estate agents.