Suspense Over High Court Judgement to Prosecute Siddaramaiah | J P Gadkari

September 20, 2024

Even as there is suspense over the delay in pronouncing the reserved judgement by the Karnataka High Court granting permission to prosecute Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the alleged MUDA land scam case, the State Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has sought a "comprehensive" fresh report on the alleged scam from the Chief Secretary of Karnataka Govt Shalini Rajneesh.

In a letter to the Chief Secretary Gehlot has sought more information on the basis of a fresh complaint launched by one P S Nataraj of Mysuru who claimed that MUDA executed projects worth Rs 387 crs in "violation of legal protocols," reportedly based on verbal instructions of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The complainant has also pointed out that these projects were undertaken "without proper authorisation, contravening Sections 15 and 25 of the Karnataka Urban Development Authority Act 1987." The complaint also says that these projects were were "executed at
C M’s behest" despite the Authority having a lack of funds.

The Governor seeking this additional information follows his decision of August 16 to allow Siddaramaiah to be prosecuted which was challenged by C M in the High Court. The arguments in the case were completed on September 12 with the High Court reserving it’s judgement.

In the meantime, the discussion over the change of guard in Karnataka and various leaders in the Congress party staking their claim for the post has taken a backseat with Siddaramaiah himself stating that the "seat is not vacant so where is the question of filling it".