Bengaluru:
Karnataka Governor Thawaar Chand Gehlot’s decision to sanction the prosecution of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was “in violation of the principles of natural justice” and is “not sustainable under law”, the Congress leader said in a petition filed in the High Court today.
The Chief Minister has sought an order preserving the status quo and preventing the investigating authorities from taking any further action relating to the Governor’s notification.
The grant of sanction to prosecute – over alleged irregularities in allotment of land by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority – is “illegal and without authority of law”, the Chief Minister said in his petition, claiming also Mr Gehlot, whom he earlier criticised as a “puppet” of the centre- “passed the order without proper application of mind and due consideration of the facts…”
In a strongly-worded petition to the Karnataka Chief Minister warned the court “in the absence of interim relief… there is a grave and imminent risk of irreparable harm (to his) reputation”.
“Such harm, if inflicted, cannot be adequately remedied at a later stage.”
Allowing the Governor’s sanction to stand would also lead to “severe prejudice… disrupt governance of the state, and potentially result in political destabilisation”, Siddaramaiah argued.
Hours earlier the Chief Minister told reporters he had not done anything illegal in a political career spanning four decades, and expressed confidence the judiciary would come to his aid.
READ | “In 40 Years Did Nothing Wrong”: Under-Fire Siddaramaiah
The senior Congress leader declared he had been a Chief Minister and a Minister over the course of his career and had “never misused power for personal gains”. He also dismissed protests by the BJP, saying, “In politics it is natural that parties will protest… so let them protest, I am clean.”
On Saturday Siddaramaiah had tweeted calling the Governor’s decision “anti-Constitution” and “against the law”. “It will be questioned in court. I have done no wrong to resign,” he said.
Governor OKs Move Against Chief Minister
A massive row erupted in Karnataka over the weekend after Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot sanctioned prosecution of the Chief Minister on corruption charges in connection with the Mysuru Urban Development Authority, or MUDA, case after petitions by three activists.
The Governor said his order was necessary to conduct a “neutral, objective, and non-partisan investigation”, adding he is prima facie “satisfied” the alleged infractions were, in fact, committed.
READ | Karnataka Governor Clears Chief Minister’s Prosecution In Land Scam
The sanction sparked furious protests by the Congress, which today held state-wide protests – dharnas, foot-marches and rallies in district headquarters including Mysuru – against Mr Gehlot.
The BJP has demanded Siddaramaiah – who faces the ruling Congress’ first major challenge since a surprisingly dominant win in the 2023 Assembly election – resign to facilitate the investigation.
MUDA Land Scam Case Explained
The alleged MUDA scam focuses on the value of land allotted to the Chief Minister’s wife, Parvathi, in an upmarket area of Mysuru as compensation for land elsewhere taken for infra development.
Critics allege the value of land allotted grossly – by Rs 4,000 to Rs 5,000 crore – exceeds that taken.
The HindkeshariExplains | MUDA Case In Which Siddaramaiah May Be Prosecuted
Specifically, in a complaint filed by an activist, TJ Abraham, that named the Chief Minister, his wife and son, and senior MUDA officials, it was alleged that allotment of 14 alternative sites in a Mysuru neighbourhood was illegal and caused a loss of Rs 45 crore.
READ | 3.16 Acres Bought For Rs 1 In 1935: Siddaramaiah On Mysuru Land Scam
Siddaramaiah had claimed the land was gifted by his wife’s brother in 1998. However, another activist Snehmayi Krishna alleged the brother had procured it illegally and registered it using forged documents with help from government officials. The land was shown to have been bought in 1998.
The Chief Minister’s wife sought compensation in 2014 when Siddaramaiah held the top post.
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