NEW DELHI: Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday criticised the governor Thaawarchand Gehlot’s decision to allow his prosecution in the alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority (Muda) site allotment scam, calling it ‘unconstitutional‘ and a misuse of the Raj Bhavan.
“The Governor’s permission to prosecute is unconstitutional. Raj Bhavan has been misused.We have condemned the Governor’s move in the cabinet,” the Karnataka CM said.
“We have condemned the Governor’s move in the cabinet and challenged it in court,” Siddaramaiah told ANI.
On Monday, Siddaramaiah filed a petition in the Karnataka High Court challenging the governor’s order that approved his prosecution in connection with the alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority (Muda) site allotment scandal. In response, the High Court directed a special court hearing private complaints against Siddaramaiah to defer its proceedings and refrain from taking any precipitative action until the next hearing on August 29.
Also read: Congress high command backs Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, plans protest with INDIA bloc allies
The Karnataka governor had sanctioned Siddaramaiah’s prosecution on August 17, under “Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and Section 218 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023,” based on petitions from activists.
The details around the scam have led to a political slugfest in Karnataka, with the opposition parties demanding the resignation of Siddaramiah, while deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar claimed that he will serve the full 5 year term.
Also read: What is Muda scam? All you need to know about controversy linked to Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah
The alleged scam involves claims that compensatory sites in a prime Mysuru location were improperly allotted to Siddaramaiah’s wife, Parvathi, under a controversial 50:50 ratio scheme. The scheme involved exchanging 3 acres and 16 gunts of undeveloped land for 14 sites in a developed residential area, allegedly resulting in a significant financial advantage. BJP leaders estimate the scam’s magnitude to be between Rs 4,000 crore and Rs 5,000 crore. The petitioners are expected to take the matter to court soon.
“The Governor’s permission to prosecute is unconstitutional. Raj Bhavan has been misused.We have condemned the Governor’s move in the cabinet,” the Karnataka CM said.
“We have condemned the Governor’s move in the cabinet and challenged it in court,” Siddaramaiah told ANI.
On Monday, Siddaramaiah filed a petition in the Karnataka High Court challenging the governor’s order that approved his prosecution in connection with the alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority (Muda) site allotment scandal. In response, the High Court directed a special court hearing private complaints against Siddaramaiah to defer its proceedings and refrain from taking any precipitative action until the next hearing on August 29.
Also read: Congress high command backs Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, plans protest with INDIA bloc allies
The Karnataka governor had sanctioned Siddaramaiah’s prosecution on August 17, under “Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and Section 218 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023,” based on petitions from activists.
The details around the scam have led to a political slugfest in Karnataka, with the opposition parties demanding the resignation of Siddaramiah, while deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar claimed that he will serve the full 5 year term.
Also read: What is Muda scam? All you need to know about controversy linked to Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah
The alleged scam involves claims that compensatory sites in a prime Mysuru location were improperly allotted to Siddaramaiah’s wife, Parvathi, under a controversial 50:50 ratio scheme. The scheme involved exchanging 3 acres and 16 gunts of undeveloped land for 14 sites in a developed residential area, allegedly resulting in a significant financial advantage. BJP leaders estimate the scam’s magnitude to be between Rs 4,000 crore and Rs 5,000 crore. The petitioners are expected to take the matter to court soon.
