Karnataka High Court Greenlights Probe into Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s Case: A Political Storm Unfolds
(Judicial Quest News Network)
Bengaluru, 25, September 2024
In a significant development, the Karnataka High Court has upheld the Governor’s decision to allow an investigation into Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s case regarding allegations of irregularities linked to a ₹146 crore allotment to his wife, Parvati. This ruling, delivered by Justice Naga Prasanna on April 25, marks a major setback for Siddaramaiah, who has characterized the allegations as politically motivated.
The court vacated an earlier interim order that had directed a special court in Bengaluru to defer any decisions regarding complaints against the Chief Minister. It also dismissed Siddaramaiah’s plea to stay the verdict, enabling the investigation to proceed under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
Justice Naga Prasanna emphasized the necessity for an investigation, noting that the beneficiary in question is Siddaramaiah’s wife. He clarified that while the Governor typically acts on the advice of the Council of Ministers, he possesses the authority to act independently in exceptional cases—an assertion the court found applicable in this situation.
Rejecting Siddaramaiah’s argument that the investigation should only be initiated by a police officer, the court stated that it is the complainant’s responsibility to seek the necessary approvals in cases of private complaints. The High Court also pointed out that granting a hearing or issuing a show-cause notice prior to approval for investigation is not mandatory, though it remains an option for the Governor.
In response to the court’s ruling, Siddaramaiah vehemently denied the allegations, labelling them as instruments of “revenge politics” orchestrated by the BJP and JDS. He expressed his determination to continue fighting the case in court, asserting that he enjoys the support of Congress MLAs and party leaders.
The complaints leading to this investigation stem from a controversial land deal involving a 3.16-acre plot gifted to Parvati in 2010. Allegations suggest that the land was illegally developed between 2011 and 2013, leading to subsequent compensation and the controversial allotment of 14 plots by the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA).
Following the court’s decision, BJP state president BY Vijayendra called for Siddaramaiah’s resignation, stating that the ruling indicates a prima facie case against the Chief Minister, urging him to uphold the dignity of his office.
As the political landscape in Karnataka heats up, both supporters and detractors of Siddaramaiah are poised for further developments in this unfolding legal saga.
