Governor’s Sanction for Siddaramaiah Land Probe Upheld by Karnataka High Court

Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court dismissed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s petition challenging the Governor’s approval of an investigation into alleged irregularities in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) land scam case. The court ruled that the Governor has the authority to make independent decisions in exceptional circumstances, stating that the Governor’s order to sanction the probe showed a clear application of mind.

A bench led by Justice M Nagaprasanna dismissed Siddaramaiah’s plea, emphasizing the need for an investigation based on the facts presented. The case revolves around complaints filed by activists TJ Abraham, Snehamai Krishna, and Pradeep Kumar SP, alleging corruption in the allotment of land by MUDA to Siddaramaiah’s wife, BM Parvathi.

The controversy centers on the 2014 allotment of 14 premium sites in Mysuru as compensation for 3.16 acres of land in Kesare village, which Parvathi received under MUDA’s 50:50 scheme. The scheme compensates individuals with 50% of developed land in exchange for undeveloped land acquired by MUDA. The activists claim that the compensation was unlawful, as the land was allegedly transferred illegally to Siddaramaiah’s brother-in-law, Mallikarjuna Swamy Devaraj, in 2005.

Siddaramaiah has defended the allotment, stating that his wife inherited the land from her brother in 1998, and the compensation was granted during BJP’s rule. He called the allegations politically motivated.

The High Court completed its hearing on Siddaramaiah’s petition on September 12 and reserved its judgment. Despite his defense, the BJP has demanded Siddaramaiah’s resignation and a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the case, further escalating the political controversy.