In a significant legal and political development, the Karnataka High Court has upheld the Governor’s decision to sanction the prosecution of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, dismissing a petition that challenged this action. Justice M. Nagaprasanna, who presided over the case, affirmed that the Governor “did apply his mind in abundance,” indicating that the decision was free from any “non-application of mind.”
The court ruled that the Governor’s actions were justified and highlighted the necessity for further investigation into the allegations against the Chief Minister, leading to the dismissal of the petition.
In response to the ruling, senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, representing Siddaramaiah, requested a two-week stay on the court’s order. However, Justice Nagaprasanna declined this request, stating that he could not stay his own order.
In anticipation of the court’s decision, security measures were heightened around Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s residence, with police on high alert to prevent any potential disturbances. This increase in security reflects the political sensitivity surrounding the case, which involves allegations of a land scam linked to Siddaramaiah and his family.
Following the verdict, the opposition BJP intensified demand for the CM’s resignation. BJP state unit chief, BY Vijayendra, urged Siddaramaiah to “resign immediately,” asserting that the High Court’s decision validated their claims against the Congress government. Vijayendra stated, “The BJP has been relentlessly fighting against the corrupt Congress government… The Chief Minister should accept this and resign without further delay.”
In contrast, the Congress party rallied behind CM Siddaramaiah. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar dismissed the verdict as part of a “big conspiracy” against the party’s leadership. He expressed confidence in the legal system, asserting, “I repeat, there is no setback for the Chief Minister. It is a massive conspiracy against our leaders, and we will fight it out.”
Shivakumar’s support for Siddaramaiah is particularly significant given their past political tensions regarding leadership roles within the party following the Congress’ victory in last year’s Karnataka Assembly elections.
Siddaramaiah’s legal team, led by Abhishek Singhvi, contended that the Governor’s sanction to prosecute was “illegal” as it was granted without the state government’s approval. Singhvi argued that the Governor “hasn’t applied his mind,” insisting that such a sanction should not have been issued without consultation with the Chief Minister.
The court, however, maintained that the Governor’s decision could be viewed as an “independent action” that did not necessarily require the advice of state ministers, thereby affirming the Governor’s authority within the constitutional framework.
The prosecution stems from an alleged land scam involving the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA), in which the Chief Minister, his wife, and senior MUDA officials were accused of illegal land allotments. The complaint, filed by activist TJ Abraham, claims that 14 alternative sites in a prime Mysuru neighborhood were allotted illegally, resulting in a loss of Rs 45 crore to the state exchequer. These 14 sites were allocated to Siddaramaiah’s wife, Parvathi, in Mysuru, as compensation for land taken for infrastructure development elsewhere. Critics claim the value of the compensated land far exceeds that of the land taken, with the discrepancy ranging between Rs 4,000 and Rs 5,000 crore.
Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah underlined his confidence in the judicial system on Tuesday and said, “I believe in the law and the Constitution… The truth will finally win”.
The Congress veteran also slammed the “revenge politics” of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP central government.
“I have faith in the court. All MLAs, leaders, and workers of our party, and the Congress leadership have stood by me and encouraged me to continue the fight. The BJP and JDS have resorted to political retaliation against me because I am pro-poor and fighting for social justice,” he said.
The CM also indicated – as was widely expected – that he intends to mount further legal challenges to the Governor’s sanction. “I will consult with experts on whether such an investigation is allowed under the law or not… I am confident the investigation – under 17A – will be cancelled.”
