BENGALURU: Karnataka governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot granted sanction Saturday for the prosecution of CM Siddaramaiah in connection with the alleged Mysore Urban Development Authority (Muda) land allotment scam. The decision led to immediate calls from opposition BJP and JD(S) for Siddaramaiah’s resignation on moral grounds.
The cabinet convened Saturday evening and pledged to challenge the decision legally and politically.Siddaramaiah declared that “he (the governor) has no authority, jurisdiction, it is totally unconstitutional”, adding that he would “fight it out in the court of law”. Siddaramaiah dismissed demands for his resignation, calling the governor’s sanction “anti-constitutional and against law.”
Karnataka governor: Allegations, supporting material indicate offences committed
The governor’s sanction, issued under Section 17A of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and Section 218 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, followed petitions from three activists – Pradeep Kumar SP, TJ Abraham, and Snehamayi Krishna.
The CM has consistently denied allegations that Muda illegally allotted land to his wife Parvathi.
Governor’s sanction, issued under Section 17A of Prevention of Corruption Act, and Section 218 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, followed petitions from three activists – Pradeep Kumar SP, TJ Abraham, and Snehamayi Krishna.
CM Siddaramaiah has denied allegations that Muda illegally allotted land to his wife Parvathi. According to opposition BJP, Muda allocated Parvathi 14 sites totalling 38,284 sq-ft in an upscale Mysuru locality as compensation for land in Kesare village. BJP has termed it a Rs 4,000-crore scam, which Siddaramaiah denied, asserting that the land in question was gifted to his wife by her brother.
“It is a big conspiracy to dislodge an elected govt. They (BJP) have done this in several states, including Delhi and Jharkhand. Cente, BJP, JDS, and others are involved in this conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah claimed, accusing opposition of using Raj Bhavan as a political tool.
Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot justified his action and emphasised the necessity of a neutral and non-partisan investigation. He said allegations, along with supporting materials, indicated commission of offences. The petitioners are expected to approach court next week. Abraham, one of the complainants, said: “We will request the judge to take cognisance of it or refer it under Section 156(3) of CrPC. I will do it Wednesday.”
Pradeep Kumar has filed a caveat in Karnataka HC to ensure that the court hears the arguments of the original complainant first before reaching any conclusion. “Without a caveat, he (Siddaramaiah) might get court relief,” Pradeep said. Governor’s sanction followed a show-cause notice issued to Siddaramaiah on July 26, directing him to respond to the allegations within seven days. Instead of replying to the charges, Siddaramaiah allowed his council of ministers to pass a resolution condemning the notice and seeking its dismissal.
BJP and JDS had staged a padayatra from Bengaluru to Mysuru, demanding Siddaramaiah’s resignation over the alleged scam.
The cabinet convened Saturday evening and pledged to challenge the decision legally and politically.Siddaramaiah declared that “he (the governor) has no authority, jurisdiction, it is totally unconstitutional”, adding that he would “fight it out in the court of law”. Siddaramaiah dismissed demands for his resignation, calling the governor’s sanction “anti-constitutional and against law.”
Karnataka governor: Allegations, supporting material indicate offences committed
The governor’s sanction, issued under Section 17A of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and Section 218 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, followed petitions from three activists – Pradeep Kumar SP, TJ Abraham, and Snehamayi Krishna.
The CM has consistently denied allegations that Muda illegally allotted land to his wife Parvathi.
Governor’s sanction, issued under Section 17A of Prevention of Corruption Act, and Section 218 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, followed petitions from three activists – Pradeep Kumar SP, TJ Abraham, and Snehamayi Krishna.
CM Siddaramaiah has denied allegations that Muda illegally allotted land to his wife Parvathi. According to opposition BJP, Muda allocated Parvathi 14 sites totalling 38,284 sq-ft in an upscale Mysuru locality as compensation for land in Kesare village. BJP has termed it a Rs 4,000-crore scam, which Siddaramaiah denied, asserting that the land in question was gifted to his wife by her brother.
“It is a big conspiracy to dislodge an elected govt. They (BJP) have done this in several states, including Delhi and Jharkhand. Cente, BJP, JDS, and others are involved in this conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah claimed, accusing opposition of using Raj Bhavan as a political tool.
Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot justified his action and emphasised the necessity of a neutral and non-partisan investigation. He said allegations, along with supporting materials, indicated commission of offences. The petitioners are expected to approach court next week. Abraham, one of the complainants, said: “We will request the judge to take cognisance of it or refer it under Section 156(3) of CrPC. I will do it Wednesday.”
Pradeep Kumar has filed a caveat in Karnataka HC to ensure that the court hears the arguments of the original complainant first before reaching any conclusion. “Without a caveat, he (Siddaramaiah) might get court relief,” Pradeep said. Governor’s sanction followed a show-cause notice issued to Siddaramaiah on July 26, directing him to respond to the allegations within seven days. Instead of replying to the charges, Siddaramaiah allowed his council of ministers to pass a resolution condemning the notice and seeking its dismissal.
BJP and JDS had staged a padayatra from Bengaluru to Mysuru, demanding Siddaramaiah’s resignation over the alleged scam.