The Karnataka High Court on Monday issued an order preventing the trial court from taking any action against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. This comes after Karnataka Governor Thawaar Chand Gehlot authorised the Congress leader’s prosecution over the alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam. The Chief Minister has been granted interim relief until August 29, when the High Court will hear the case.
Siddaramaiah had challenged the Governor’s green signal to allow his prosecution in the High Court, claiming that the Governor’s action was “illegal and without authority of law”, and that allowing his prosecution posed “a grave and imminent risk of irreparable harm (to his) reputation” as well as “disrupt governance… and potentially result in political destabilisation”.
“Since the matter is heard by this court and pleadings are to be completed… till the next date of hearing the concerned court (the trial court) should defer its proceedings…” the High Court said.
The court also acknowledged Siddaramaiah’s submission that the Governor’s decision to approve the prosecution was made at “breakneck speed” following the filing of a complaint on July 26.
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Siddaramaiah, urged the court to prevent any drastic action, claiming that the Governor’s sanction was “part of a concerted effort to destabilise the duly elected government of Karnataka…”
Singhvi further contended that the Governor had selectively acted on one complaint out of “12 to 15 still pending, without any justification.”
Singhvi also pointed out that the necessary requirements for applying Section 17 of the Prevention of Corruption Act—under which Siddaramaiah faces charges—had not been satisfied. He highlighted errors in the process, claiming the show-cause notice sent to Siddaramaiah referred to one complaint, while the Governor’s sanction to prosecute referenced “other complaints,” indicating a lack of consistency in the proceedings.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has maintained that during his four-decade-long political career, he had “never abused power for personal gains”. He dismissed BJP protests with, “In politics, it’s natural for parties to protest… let them. I am clean.”
Governor Gehlot, however, defended his decision to sanction Siddaramaiah’s prosecution, calling it essential for a “neutral, objective, and non-partisan investigation.” He also noted he was prima facie “satisfied” that the alleged infractions occurred.
Siddaramaiah described the Governor’s decision as “anti-Constitution” and “illegal”.
The sanction ignited widespread Congress protests across Karnataka, with state-wide demonstrations including rallies and marches in district centres like Mysuru.
Meanwhile, the BJP called for Siddaramaiah’s resignation to allow a free investigation into the alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam, which involves land allotted to his wife, Parvathi, in an affluent Mysuru neighbourhood as compensation for land taken for infrastructure purposes.
The controversy erupted after a complaint filed by activist TJ Abraham, which named Siddaramaiah, his wife, son, and senior MUDA officials. The complaint alleges that the allocation of 14 alternative plots in a Mysuru area was illegal, resulting in a Rs 45 crore loss.
Siddaramaiah, however, defended the land as a gift from his wife’s brother in 1998.
Another activist, Snehmayi Krishna, contested this claim, alleging the land was acquired illegally and registered using forged documents, with government officials’ assistance.
