Karnataka HC stays action against Siddaramaiah till August 29

The Karnataka High Court on Monday deferred proceedings before a special court against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in connection with the alleged MUDA scam.Earlier, CM Siddaramaiah on Monday filed a petition in the high court challenging Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot's recent approval to prosecute him in connection with the alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam.Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Siddaramaiah, argued that the governor's sanction is biased and part of a coordinated effort to destabilise the democratically elected government in Karnataka for political reasons. Siddaramaiah, through his counsel, said the probe order against him was given by a "friendly Governor" and the charges hold no merit.
A petition filed by social activist Snehamayi Krishna against Siddaramaiah was up for hearing in Special Court for People's Representatives on Tuesday. Another petition by TJ Abraham was scheduled for arguments on Wednesday. Now, the proceedings won't take place till the High Court's next hearing on August 29.On August 17, the Karnataka Governor granted approval and sanction to probe against Siddaramaiah in connection with the irregularities in the allotment of alternative sites by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA).
Singhvi argued that the state Cabinet gave the Governor a 100-page document listing reasons why the complaint was "frivolous and sanctions can't be granted". "The Governor, however, in a short, two-page order, decides on only one point. He doesn't give a single reason why the sanction ought to be given," he said.Solicitor Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Governor, argued, "Governor is a constitutional body and decisions injuncted by another constitutional body should be avoided." After hearing the arguments, the judge said, "Let the magistrate court not proceed further with the complaint till then."
Siddaramaiah is under the scanner over the alleged irregularities in the compensatory land allocation to his wife by the MUDA during his term as Chief Minister.Siddaramaiah's brother-in-law, Malikarjuna Swamy Devaraj, is also accused of involvement in the alleged land scam. The case involves allegations against top officials of MUDA as well. The controversy centres on a 3.16-acre parcel of land in Kesaru village owned by Siddaramaiah's wife, Parvathi. This land was acquired by MUDA for development of a layout and Parvathi was allocated 14 premium sites in Vijayanagar in 2022 as compensation under a 50:50 scheme.

(State Correspondent)