Karnataka High Court to jointly hear activist Snehamayi Krishnan’s plea for CBI probe and CM Siddaramaiah’s challenge to prosecution sanction on Sept 4. Court orders fresh notices to unserved respondents including co-accused landowner Devaraju.
Bengaluru: Today, on July 10, the Karnataka High Court heard an appeal filed by activist Snehamayi Krishnan, who challenged the earlier decision of a single judge refusing to order a CBI investigation into the alleged MUDA scam, in which Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and others have been named as accused.
The case was heard by Acting Chief Justice V Kameswar Rao and Justice CM Joshi. Appearing for Krishnan, Senior Advocate KG Raghavan informed the bench that another related matter was also listed for hearing the same day — a petition filed by CM Siddaramaiah himself, challenging the Governor’s decision to grant sanction for his prosecution in connection with the same case.
Also Read: MUDA Scam | Karnataka HC Adjourns CM Siddaramaiah’s CBI Probe to January 27
Raghavan stated before the Court,
“We made a reference that investigation must be by CBI, in order to infuse public confidence having regard to fact that persons being investigated are having high positions in govt. That has been rejected, it is against that (this appeal is filed).”
The bench then asked,
“Both (Siddaramaiah’s plea and Krishnan’s appeal) have to be heard together?”
To this, Raghavan replied,
“Yes.”
The Court was informed that Special Counsel Prasanna Kumar will appear on behalf of the CBI in this case. The judges also inquired about which lawyers would be representing the other respondents in the matter. Advocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty was present on behalf of the State Government.
The Court then asked if the two matters – Krishnan’s appeal and CM Siddaramaiah’s challenge – had been formally tagged together for a joint hearing.
Raghavan responded,
“No.”
The Advocate General submitted to the Court,
“My only request, let it come together, on the same day. But don’t tag it.. Different judgments (needed).”
Following this, the Court began to dictate its order, recording the names of counsel who had appeared in the matter.
The Court noted that as far as Respondent 10 is concerned, there was no appearance despite hand summons being issued, as per a memo filed by the appellant’s counsel.
The Court then asked the appellant to clarify whether the service of notice on Respondent 10 was done properly.
Revising its earlier direction, the Court ordered that a fresh notice be issued to Respondent 10 and instructed the appellant to file an affidavit along with an acknowledgment proving service of the notice.
Also Read: MUDA Scam | Karnataka Governor Seeks Response from CM Siddaramaiah
Additionally, the Advocate General informed the Court that in another related petition filed by a landowner named Devaraju, who is also a co-accused in the MUDA scam, the service of notice to respondents is also yet to be completed.
Devaraju, like Siddaramaiah, has challenged the Governor’s sanction to prosecute him.
Considering this, the Court directed the issuance of fresh notices to the respondents who have not yet been served in both cases — the appeal filed by Snehamayi Krishnan and the petitions by CM Siddaramaiah and Devaraju.
The Court ordered that all these connected matters will be heard on September 4, 2025.
Background of the MUDA Scam Case
The case revolves around alleged irregularities in land allotments and de-notifications carried out by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA).
It has been alleged that large parcels of government and public land were illegally allotted to private individuals or de-notified in violation of established rules and procedures.
The scam is said to have occurred over several years and involves high-ranking officials and politicians.
One of the central figures named in the allegations is Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who is accused of being involved in questionable land de-notifications during his previous tenure.
Activist Snehamayi Krishnan approached the Karnataka High Court seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the matter, arguing that an impartial investigation is crucial since senior government functionaries are among those implicated.
However, a single judge of the High Court had earlier rejected the plea for a CBI investigation, prompting Krishnan to file an appeal against that decision.
Meanwhile, CM Siddaramaiah and others, including a co-accused landowner named Devaraju, have filed separate petitions challenging the Karnataka Governor’s sanction for their prosecution in connection with the scam.
These petitions, including Krishnan’s appeal for a CBI probe, have now been listed for hearing before a division bench of the High Court, which will address whether the Governor’s sanction was valid and whether a CBI investigation is warranted given the high-profile nature of the case.
Click Here to Read More Reports on MUDA Scam
