Bengaluru Court orders Mysuru Lokayukta Police to probe MUDA case involving CM Siddaramaiah
- In Reports
- 06:17 PM, Sep 25, 2024
- Myind Staff
A Special Court in the Karnataka Capital City, Bengaluru, has ordered Mysore Lokayukta Police to investigate a scam allegedly committed by Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA). Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his wife are among those to be probed in the case. Judge Santhosh Gajanana Bhat passed an order after a private complaint filed by Snehamayi Krishna. The police have to investigate the matter and present their reports to the court within 90 days.
The order was made the day after the Karnataka High Court denied Siddaramaiah's petition to revoke the governor's approval of his prosecution in connection with the alleged scam. The court had halted any further proceedings regarding the private complaints before the trial court by means of an interim order while the petition was pending hearing. The interim order was dissolved by the High Court in addition to dismissing the petition.
On August 17, the Governor authorised an investigation in accordance with Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act and authorised legal action in accordance with Section 218 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
In its plea, the CM had claimed that the sanction order had been issued without exercising due diligence, in contravention of statutory mandates, and against fundamental constitutional principles, including the Council of Ministers' advice, which is legally enforceable under Article 163 of the Indian Constitution. Additionally, it was asserted that the contested sanction order is tainted with mala fides and is a component of a coordinated attempt to topple Karnataka's legitimately elected government for political purposes.
The High Court while rejecting the petition had said “It is difficult to accept that CM Siddaramaiah was not “behind the curtain” during the entire transaction of MUDA land, in which his family allegedly benefitted approximately ₹56 crores.”
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