Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Responds to High Court Verdict on MUDA Scam Investigation

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], September 24: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah responded to the Karnataka High Court’s verdict dismissing his petition challenging Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot’s approval for an investigation into the alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam. Siddaramaiah claimed that this is a political move by the BJP and JDS to undermine his government’s pro-poor initiatives.

Siddaramaiah stated, “BJP and JDS have resorted to political retaliation against me because I am pro-poor and fighting for social justice. This is a fight against the revenge politics of Narendra Modi-led BJP government.”

He emphasized his long political career, saying, “Throughout my 40 years of political life, I have faced such revenge and conspiracy politics and have been winning with the strength of the blessings and wishes of the people of the state. I am confident that I will win this fight with the strength of people’s blessings.”

Siddaramaiah noted the court’s rejection of the Governor’s order under Section 218 and expressed confidence that the truth would emerge soon, asserting, “The investigation under 17A will be cancelled.”

He pointed out that the complainant sought permission for investigation and prosecution under Section 218 BNSS, 17A, and 19 PC Act. However, the governor initially refused permission to prosecute as per 19 PC Act. In the recent judgment, the Karnataka High Court expressly rejected the prosecution permission granted by the Governor under Section 218 BNSS.

Siddaramaiah added, “I will not hesitate to investigate. I will consult with experts whether such an investigation is allowed under law or not. I will discuss with the legal experts and decide the outline of the fight.”

He further criticized opposition leaders for opposing welfare schemes during his tenure, claiming their calls for his resignation are driven by political retaliation. “These same BJP and JDS leaders have opposed the Annabhagya, Ksheera Bhagya, Ksheera Dhare, Vidyasiri, Krishibhagya, Pashubhagya, Indira Canteen schemes implemented when I was the first Chief Minister. The same leaders who are plotting against me today have opposed the SCSP/TSP Act,” Siddaramaiah said.

The Karnataka High Court dismissed Siddaramaiah’s petition challenging the approval given by Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot for conducting an investigation against him in the alleged illegalities in MUDA allotting sites to his wife. Justice Nagaprasanna stated that the order of sanction for prosecution does not suffer from non-application of mind by the Governor. It is alleged that MUDA illegally allotted 14 sites to Siddaramaiah’s wife in the prime location of Mysuru city. The High Court had previously granted temporary relief to Siddaramaiah by directing a special court in Bengaluru to defer further proceedings and not to take any precipitative action pursuant to the sanction granted by the Governor.