Siddaramaiah to face MUDA probe as High Court rejects challenge against Guv
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Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has to undergo an investigation into the alleged irregularities in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotments, specifically involving prime real estate allotted to his wife, after the Karnataka High Court found the Governor’s sanction to prosecute him.
The court rejected Siddaramaiah's plea that challenged Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot's approval for the investigation.
Karnataka High Court Justice M Nagaprasanna ruled that an investigation into the MUDA site allotment case is necessary, upholding Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot's authority to make an independent decision. The court found no evidence to suggest that the Governor acted without due consideration, dismissing claims of non-application of mind in the matter.
The MUDA case involves allegations of irregularities in land allotments, including 14 plots in a prime area of Mysuru city allotted to Siddaramaiah's wife, Parvathi. The court's verdict marks a significant development in the case, which has been mired in controversy and political tensions.
Justice M Nagaprasanna made a notable ruling, stating that the facts presented in the petition warrant an investigation, particularly since the beneficiary of these actions is the petitioner's family. Consequently, the petition was dismissed, and any existing interim orders were rendered null and void.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah approached the Karnataka High Court to challenge Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot's approval of an investigation into alleged irregularities in the MUDA allotment of 14 prime sites to his wife, Parvathi. Essentially, Siddaramaiah contested the Governor's authorization to prosecute him over these allegations.
On August 16, Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot gave the green light for an investigation into alleged irregularities involving Chief Minister Siddaramaiah under two key laws: the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (Section 17A), and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (Section 218). This decision followed petitions from complainants Pradeep Kumar S P, T J Abraham, and Snehamayi Krishna, who claimed that Siddaramaiah's family benefited from questionable land allotments by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA).
On August 19, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah filed a petition in the High Court, challenging Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot's approval of an investigation into the alleged irregularities in site allotments by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA).
Siddaramaiah argued that the Governor's sanction order was issued without proper consideration and violated statutory and constitutional principles. The court subsequently extended its interim order, instructing the special court for people's representatives to delay proceedings related to the complaints against Siddaramaiah until his petition is resolved.