Siddaramaiah Slams Karnataka Governor’s Approval for Prosecution in MUDA Land Scam Case

The Congress leader Siddaramaiah, who defeated the BJP in the last year’s Assembly election, is facing criticism from the BJP and has raised concerns about potential political instability if the Governor’s order to prosecute him is allowed to stand. He has filed a petition seeking an order preventing further action in relation to the Governor’s order, claiming it to be illegal and without authority of the law.

He also criticized the Governor’s decision, alleging it was made without proper consideration of the facts and application of mind. In his strongly-worded petition, Siddaramaiah warned the court about the potential irreparable harm to his reputation if interim relief is not granted.

He argued that allowing the Governor’s sanction to stand would not only disrupt the governance of the state but also potentially lead to severe prejudice and political destabilization. The Governor defended his decision, stating that it was necessary for a neutral and non-partisan investigation, and he was satisfied that the alleged infractions were committed.

Critics allege that the value of the allotted land significantly exceeds the amount paid for it, and there are allegations of illegal allotment of alternative sites causing a loss of Rs 45 crore. Siddaramaiah claimed that the land in question was gifted by his wife’s brother in 1998, while another activist alleged that the brother had illegally procured it and registered it using forged documents with the help of government officials.

The controversy also involves allegations of the Chief Minister’s wife seeking compensation in 2014, during Siddaramaiah’s tenure as the Chief Minister. The political situation has led to disputes and protests by the BJP, with Siddaramaiah dismissing these protests as a natural part of politics and mentioning that they will be questioned in court.

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