Karnataka HC Defers Special Court Proceedings Against CM Siddaramaiah In MUDA Scam Case Till Aug 29

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah filed a writ petition challenging Governor Gehlot's sanction for an investigation against him over alleged irregularities in land allotment in MUDA Scam case.

The Karnataka High Court on Monday directed the special court for public representatives to postpone its proceedings concerning the alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment 'scam' involving Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The court's decision defers the hearing until the next scheduled date on August 29.

Justice M Nagaprasanna, who presided over the case, did not grant an injunction but acknowledged the writ petition filed by Siddaramaiah, news agency PTI reported.  

Justice Nagaprasanna stated that the court would defer its proceedings until the next hearing date, as the matter is still under review and pleadings are incomplete. Senior advocate and Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta represented Siddaramaiah and the Governor, respectively.

Following the court’s decision, Siddaramaiah expressed his gratitude via a post on X (formerly Twitter).

He stated, "As a law-abiding citizen with faith in the Constitution and the judiciary's power to uphold justice and fairness, I approached the Hon'ble High Court of Karnataka against the illegal and politically motivated decision of the Governor of Karnataka to permit an inquiry and prosecution based on trumped-up allegations against me. I am pleased that the Hon'ble High Court heard the matter and passed interim orders directing the concerned court to defer the proceedings and further instructing that no precipitative action be taken pursuant to the impugned sanction. I am grateful to the Hon'ble High Court and remain confident that ultimately, the truth will prevail."

In his petition, Siddaramaiah argued that the Governor's sanction order, issued on 16 August 2024, is legally flawed and procedurally unsound. He claimed that the order was made without proper application of mind, violated statutory mandates, and contravened constitutional principles, particularly the binding nature of the Council of Ministers' advice under Article 163 of the Constitution of India, news agency PTI reported.

The Chief Minister sought to quash the Governor's order, which granted prior approval and sanction under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and Section 218 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. Siddaramaiah has labelled the Governor’s decision as "legally unsustainable" and motivated by "extraneous considerations."

Siddaramaiah's petition requested that the High Court invalidate the impugned order dated 16 August 2024, along with other reliefs.

Karnataka Governor's Sanction for Probe Against CM Siddaramaiah Triggers Political Showdown

A political storm has engulfed Karnataka after Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot sanctioned an investigation into CM Siddaramaiah concerning alleged irregularities in the allotment of alternative sites by the MUDA. The ruling Congress and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have taken to the streets in a series of protests across the state.

Congress leaders and party workers organised dharnas, foot-marches, and rallies in district headquarters, holding placards denouncing the Governor's actions and chanting slogans against him. Demonstrations were reported from various regions, including Bengaluru, Udupi, Mangaluru, Hubballi-Dharwad, Vijayapura, Kalaburagi, Raichur, Tumakuru, and Mysuru, according to news agency PTI.

In Bengaluru, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who also serves as the State Congress President, led a protest at 'Freedom Park'. The protest was attended by several ministers from the Siddaramaiah Cabinet, signifying a strong show of unity within the party. Shivakumar, in his address on Sunday, criticised the Governor's decision, stating, "The Governor is making a case out of nothing. This is a murder of democracy and we will protest it", as quoted by PTI.

On the other side, the BJP, under the leadership of its state president B Y Vijayendra and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R Ashoka, staged a dharna near Mahatma Gandhi's statue at the Vidhana Soudha premises. The party demanded Siddaramaiah's resignation, with BJP leaders arguing that he has "no moral right to continue as Chief Minister" and should step down to allow for a transparent and impartial investigation, PTI reported. Former Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda was also present at the BJP protest.