Bengaluru Court Orders Lokayukta Probe in MUDA Scam Case

Bengaluru: In a significant legal and political development, the Karnataka High Court has dismissed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s petition challenging Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot’s approval to prosecute him in connection with alleged irregularities in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment case. The allegations revolve around the allocation of 14 prime sites in Mysuru city to Siddaramaiah’s wife, raising concerns of corruption.

The High Court’s ruling came after anti-corruption activists T.J. Abraham, Snehamayi Krishna, and Pradeep Kumar sought the Governor’s sanction to pursue legal action against Siddaramaiah under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. Section 17A mandates approval from a competent authority before an inquiry or investigation into a public servant can proceed. Siddaramaiah had contested the Governor’s decision, arguing it was made hastily in just 20 days, while similar requests for investigations against BJP ministers had been pending for over two years. However, Justice M. Nagaprasanna of the Karnataka High Court dismissed this argument, affirming that the Governor’s order was based on detailed reasoning recorded in the files, even if not included in the final order.

The court also emphasized the Governor’s ability to act independently in exceptional circumstances, which it deemed applicable in this case. While the Governor usually acts under the advice of the Council of Ministers, the High Court upheld that the sanction was lawful and valid, enabling the investigation to move forward.

Further escalating the legal challenge, just a day after the High Court’s ruling, a Bengaluru court directed the Lokayukta police to conduct an investigation into Siddaramaiah over the alleged irregularities in the MUDA site allotments. Special Court Judge Santhosh Gajanan Bhat ordered the probe, marking a crucial step in the case. This decision has intensified scrutiny of the Karnataka Chief Minister’s involvement in the land grant controversy.

Responding to the court’s directive, Siddaramaiah expressed his readiness to face the inquiry. “I am not afraid of a probe,” he told reporters. “I am ready for a legal fight. I had said this yesterday, and I am reiterating it today as well.”

With the Lokayukta police now set to investigate the matter, Siddaramaiah’s legal battle is expected to continue, drawing further attention to the case. The investigation could have significant political implications, both for the Chief Minister and the state’s broader political landscape, as allegations of corruption take center stage.