Lagatar24 Desk
Bengaluru: In a significant setback for Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the Karnataka High Court on Tuesday upheld Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot‘s sanction to prosecute him in the alleged MUDA land scam case. The ruling paves the way for legal proceedings against the Chief Minister, intensifying political tensions in the state.
High Court Dismisses Siddaramaiah’s Plea
A bench led by Justice M Nagaprasanna dismissed the petition filed by Siddaramaiah challenging the Governor’s decision. The court observed that the Governor’s order did not suffer from “non-application of mind” and was valid. “There is no fault in the Governor’s actions… The petition is dismissed,” the court stated, rejecting the Chief Minister’s plea to stay the order for two weeks.
The ruling allows the lower court to proceed with filing a First Information Report (FIR) against Siddaramaiah, escalating pressure on the Congress leader.
BJP Demands Resignation, Congress Cries Conspiracy
Reacting swiftly to the verdict, the BJP demanded Siddaramaiah’s resignation. State BJP chief BY Vijayendra called for the Chief Minister to step down immediately, declaring, “The High Court has clearly said the decision taken by the Governor is correct. Siddaramaiah should resign without further delay.”
The Congress, however, has dismissed the ruling as part of a “political conspiracy.” DK Shivakumar, the state Congress president and Siddaramaiah’s deputy, vowed to fight the case, stating, “It is a big conspiracy against our leaders… We will get justice.”
Governor’s Sanction and Siddaramaiah’s Argument
The case revolves around land allotted to Siddaramaiah’s wife in an upmarket area of Mysuru, allegedly as compensation for land taken for infrastructure development. Activists have claimed that the value of the allotted land exceeded the compensation by ₹4,000 to ₹5,000 crore, resulting in a ₹45 crore loss to the state.
Siddaramaiah argued that the Governor’s decision to sanction his prosecution was illegal and violated principles of natural justice. His counsel, Abhishek Singhvi, contended that the Governor had not applied his mind and that the decision was reviewable. However, the court disagreed, stating that the Governor’s action could be considered an “independent decision” that did not require the state government’s approval.
Political Fallout
The ruling has sparked widespread political reactions, with the BJP stepping up its attacks on the Congress government, calling the MUDA land scam a symbol of corruption. Meanwhile, the Congress has stood behind its Chief Minister, vowing to continue the legal battle and accusing the BJP of using the judiciary for political gains.
Siddaramaiah, in a statement after the verdict, reiterated his faith in the judiciary and expressed confidence that the truth would prevail. “I believe in the law and the Constitution… The truth will finally win,” he said.
The controversy has intensified ahead of key political events in Karnataka, raising questions about the potential impact on Siddaramaiah’s leadership and the future of the Congress government in the state.
