The Karnataka High Court dealt a blow to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday, dismissing his plea against the Governor’s sanction to investigate him in the contentious MUDA land allotment case. The case revolves around allegations that the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) illegally allotted 14 prime sites to Siddaramaiah’s wife.
Earlier this month, on August 19, the High Court had granted Siddaramaiah temporary relief, directing a special court in Bengaluru to halt proceedings related to the Governor’s sanction for prosecution. However, this respite proved short-lived.
On August 31, the Karnataka Governor’s office informed the High Court that the decision to sanction Siddaramaiah’s prosecution in the MUDA scam was made after a thorough and careful evaluation of the evidence. This statement effectively nullified Siddaramaiah’s legal challenge and paved the way for the investigation to proceed.
The controversy surrounding the MUDA land allotment case has escalated significantly. Karnataka ministers and Congress legislators staged a ‘Raj Bhavan Chalo’ protest against Governor Thawarchand Gehlot’s approval for Siddaramaiah’s prosecution. The Congress party has accused the Governor of bias, claiming he has not acted on other pending cases.
This legal setback for Siddaramaiah adds another layer of complexity to the already tense political landscape of Karnataka. The case is likely to be closely watched as it progresses through the legal system, potentially impacting the state’s political dynamics in the months to come.
