Bengaluru: In a landmark decision, the Karnataka High Court has overturned Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s writ petition challenging the governor’s prosecution order in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) issue.
On Tuesday, the bench headed by Justice M. Nagaprasanna issued an order upholding Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot’s decision.
The bench stated that private complainants can seek consent for the prosecution and underlined that the move to seek permission for consent under Section 17(A) is appropriate.
The Bench also stated that the Governor’s action in this regard is correct.
The development is poised to send shockwaves through the state’s political landscape, stirring a palpable sense of anticipation and uncertainty.
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Anticipating the Karnataka High Court’s verdict, security was significantly heightened around Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s residence, underscoring the tension and potential for unrest.
Officials have assured that the police are on high alert and have been directed to take all necessary measures to prevent any potential unrest or untoward incidents.
Siddaramaiah sought interim relief in the matter and demanded quashing the Governor’s orders.
Now that the verdict has gone against CM Siddaramaiah, the lower court will initiate legal proceedings, such as filing an FIR against him in the MUDA case. This will further pressure the Chief Minister to tender his resignation, potentially leading to a political upheaval in the state government.
Sources confirmed that CM Siddaramaiah will now approach the Supreme Court to challenge the High Court’s order against him.
The High Court on September 12 completed the hearing of arguments and counterarguments on the writ petition filed by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. While Abhishek Manu Singhvi appeared for the CM, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta represented the Governor’s office.
Social activists Pradeep Kumar SP, T.J. Abraham and Snehamayi Krishna had filed petitions against CM Siddaramaiah in connection with the alleged MUDA land scam.
They claimed that Siddaramaiah misused his office to create fraudulent documents regarding 3.17 acres of land near Mysuru city and got 14 sites allotted from the MUDA in his wife’s name.
CM Siddaramaiah had refuted the allegations and maintained that the Congress government would fight politically and legally over the permission for prosecution against him in the case granted by the Governor.
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–IANS
