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Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. (PTI file photo)
Siddaramaiah argued that the sanction order was issued without proper consideration, violating statutory requirements and constitutional principles. The court is scheduled to hear the petition at 2:30 pm
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday filed a writ petition in the High Court, challenging Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot’s decision to sanction his prosecution in connection with the alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam. The court is scheduled to hear the petition at 2:30 p.m.
In his petition, Siddaramaiah argued that the sanction order was issued without proper consideration, violating statutory requirements and constitutional principles, including the advice of the Council of Ministers, which is binding under Article 163 of the Constitution of India.
“The Hon’ble Governor’s decision is legally unsustainable, procedurally flawed, and motivated by extraneous considerations, and thus the Petitioner has preferred this Writ Petition seeking to quash the impugned order dated 16.08.2024 amongst other reliefs,” Siddaramaiah stated.
The Karnataka Chief Minister challenged the August 16 order granting prior approval and sanction under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and Section 218 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
Siddaramaiah Slams LoP R Ashoka
Taking to social media platform X, Siddaramaiah sharply rebutted Leader of the Opposition and BJP leader R. Ashoka’s call for his resignation.
In his post, Siddaramaiah slammed Ashoka for his comments questioning why he hadn’t resigned, likening his situation to that of former Karnataka CM and senior BJP leader BS Yediyurappa.
“Opposition leader R Ashok has once again displayed his ignorance by asking, ‘Why isn’t Siddaramaiah resigning like B S Yediyurappa did when then-Governor Hansraj Bhardwaj granted prosecution permission?’,” he wrote.
Opposition leader R Ashok has once again displayed his ignorance by asking, ‘Why isn’t Siddaramaiah resigning like B S Yediyurappa did when then-Governor Hansraj Bhardwaj granted prosecution permission?’Mr. Ashok, before making such reckless statements, please check the facts.…
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) August 19, 2024
Siddaramaiah responded by pointing out that when Governor Hansraj Bhardwaj granted prosecution permission on January 21, 2011, regarding the Rachenahalli denotification scam, it was based on extensive evidence. Despite this, Yediyurappa did not resign immediately.
“Governor Hansraj Bhardwaj granted prosecution permission on January 21, 2011, related to the Rachenahalli denotification scam, supported by 1,600 pages of strong evidence submitted by the petitioners. Despite this, Yediyurappa did not step down as Chief Minister. Mr. Ashok, weren’t you the one who questioned back then about the need for Yediyurappa’s resignation? Now, why are you asking for my resignation?,” he asked.
Karnataka Governor Prosecute Siddaramaiah
On Saturday, Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot granted sanction for the prosecution of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in connection with the MUDA site allotment scandal. Gehlot approved the prosecution following complaints from three private individuals.
The allegations in the MUDA case involve claims that compensatory sites were allocated to Siddaramaiah’s wife, Parvathi, in a high-value area of Mysuru. This area reportedly had a higher property value compared to the location of her land, which had been “acquired” by MUDA.
(With inputs from PTI)