The Karnataka High Court on Monday directed the trial court to postpone proceedings against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who is facing private complaints alleging irregularities in land allocation by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA).
Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot granted sanction to prosecute Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on August 17. Earlier in the day, Siddaramaiah approached the High Court, claiming the move was an attempt to undermine his government.
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Justice M. Nagaprasanna heard arguments from Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing the CM, and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who appeared for the Governor.
The court directed the respondents to file their replies and scheduled the next hearing for August 29. “Despite the vehement objections by the complainants against grant of an injunction, since the matter is being heard by this Court and pleadings are yet to be completed, till the next date of hearing, the court concerned shall defer its proceedings. No precipitative action qua the impugned sanction,” Bench said, quoted by Bar and Bench.
Also Read:Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah to be prosecuted in MUDA scam case, says report
Governor Gehlot approved the prosecution of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah following private complaints from social activists TJ Abraham, Snehamai Krishna, and Pradeep Kumar SP. Abraham had requested this sanction in July, leading the Governor to issue a show cause notice to Siddaramaiah shortly thereafter.
The allegations center on irregularities in the allocation of about 14 plots of land in Mysuru to Siddaramaiah’s wife by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA). Opposition parties in Karnataka claim that land designated for Dalit community members was wrongfully allocated to Siddaramaiah’s wife using forged documents, resulting in a significant financial loss.
Siddaramaiah’s brother-in-law, Malikarjuna Swamy Devaraj, is also accused of involvement in the alleged scam, which reportedly implicates high-ranking MUDA officials, however Siddaramaiah has denied all accusations.
