Karnataka governor approves prosecution of Siddaramaiah in land scam case
What's the story
The Karnataka governor has given his permission to prosecute Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) land scam case.
The approval for prosecution followed petitions by TJ Abraham, Pradeep, and Snehamayi Krishna.
The allegations revolve around irregularities in land allotments by the MUDA.
Parvathi Siddaramaiah, the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's wife, is alleged to have benefited from these irregularities.
Communication
CMO confirms it has received the communication
The Chief Minister's Office (CMO) confirmed that it has received the communication.
Meanwhile, Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot has summoned T J Abraham, one of the complainants seeking to prosecute the chief minister in the matter, to Raj Bhavan on Saturday.
He is likely to meet with the Governor at 3:00pm.
Scam
MUDA acquired Parvathi's 3-acre plot in 2021
In 2021, MUDA acquired Parvathi's 3-acre plot in Kesare village, Mysuru, for development.
She was allocated plots in south Mysuru's affluent Vijayanagar area in exchange. According to the reports, Vijayanagar plots are worth far more than her Kesare land.
In his complaint, Abraham alleged that Siddaramaiah failed to disclose his wife's ownership of the said land in his 2023 assembly election affidavit.
Complaint
Complaint details
The complaint further alleged that Siddaramaiah did not include the land details in his affidavit "with his absolute knowledge and clearly with some ulterior motives," and demanded judicial action against him under Sections 125A and 8 of the Representation of the Peoples Act, 1950.
It also identified various violations of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhitas.
Show cause
Governor had issued show cause notice to Siddaramaiah
On July 26, Governor Gehlot issued a "show cause notice" to CM Siddaramaiah, asking him to explain within seven days as to why he should not face prosecution.
In response, the Karnataka government exhorted the Governor to retract this notice on August 1, accusing him of abusing his constitutional authority.
Siddaramaiah had called the charges against him "politically motivated."