Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah faces prosecution over MUDA land scam

Karnataka Governor has given a nod for the prosecution of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the MUDA scam

August 17, 2024

Karnataka Governor approves prosecution against CM Siddaramaiah in ‘MUDA scam’

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is set to face prosecution over alleged irregularities in land allocations by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA). Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has sanctioned the Chief Minister’s prosecution in the MUDA land scam case, following petitions from activists Pradeep Kumar, T J Abraham, and Snehamayi Krishna.

A letter from the Governor’s Secretariat to the activists confirmed the sanction, stating, “As directed by the Governor, I am enclosing herewith the copy of the decision of the Competent Authority on the request for prosecution against Chief Minister Shri Siddaramaiah, under Section 17 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and Section 218 of the Bharatiya Nagarika Suraksha Samhitha, 2023 for the alleged offences mentioned in the petitions.”

The decision marks a significant legal and political development, placing Siddaramaiah under intense scrutiny as investigations into the MUDA land allocation irregularities proceed.

The Governor had last month issued a “show-cause notice” to the Chief Minister, directing him to reply to the allegations against him within seven days and state why he shouldn’t be prosecuted.

This sparked a resolution by the state cabinet asking the Governor not to sanction the prosecution. The Siddaramaiah-led government had also advised him to withdraw the notice and alleged “gross misuse of the Constitutional Office” of the Governor.

The Governor’s notice followed a petition by anti-corruption activist TJ Abraham to prosecute Siddaramaiah over alleged irregularities in the MUDA. In his petition, he alleged the multi-crore scam caused huge losses to the state’s exchequer.

In July, Abraham lodged a complaint with the Lokayukta police alleging illegal allotment of 14 upscale Mysuru sites to Siddaramaiah’s wife, BM Parvathi, resulting in a Rs.45 crore loss to the exchequer. The complaint implicated Siddaramaiah, his wife, son S Yathindra, and senior MUDA officials.

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