Today(on 2nd September), The Karnataka High Court has extended the interim stay on trial court proceedings against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the MUDA case until September 9. The case involves allegations of misconduct related to the Mysuru Urban Development Authority, with prosecution sanctions granted by the Governor.
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BENGALURU: Today(on 2nd September), the Karnataka High Court has extended the interim stay on trial court proceedings against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in relation to the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) case. The extension granted will remain in effect until September 9, providing a temporary reprieve for the Chief Minister amidst ongoing legal battles.
The controversy stems from allegations related to the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA), where Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has been accused of misconduct. The case took a serious turn when Governor Thaawarchand accorded sanction under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and Section 218 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, on August 16. The sanction allows for the prosecution of Siddaramaiah in connection with the alleged offences, as highlighted in petitions filed by Pradeep Kumar S P, T J Abraham, and Snehamayi Krishna.
On August 19, Siddaramaiah responded by challenging the Governor’s sanction in the Karnataka High Court. In his petition, the Chief Minister argued that the sanction order was issued “without due application of mind,” claiming it violated statutory mandates and constitutional principles. He further contended that the decision was made contrary to the advice of the Council of Ministers, which, according to Article 163 of the Constitution of India, is binding on the Governor.
During the hearing today(on 2nd September), senior advocate K G Raghavan, representing Respondent number 4, Snehamayi Krishna, presented his submissions before the court. Following these arguments, the Advocate General requested a week’s time to make further submissions on the matter.
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Justice M Nagaprasanna, presiding over the case, responded to the submissions by stating-
“Heard senior counsel K.G. Raghavan. The Advocate General requests a week to prepare submissions. The matter will be listed for hearing on September 9 at 2:30 p.m., and the interim order granted on August 19 will remain in effect until then.”
This ruling effectively extends the interim stay on the trial court proceedings until the next hearing date, scheduled for September 9.
In his petition, Siddaramaiah has sought to quash the Governor’s order, arguing that the sanction for his prosecution is-
“legally unsustainable, procedurally flawed, and motivated by extraneous considerations.”
He emphasized that the Governor’s decision was not only inconsistent with statutory mandates but also violated constitutional principles by disregarding the binding advice of the Council of Ministers.
The Chief Minister’s legal team has asserted that the sanction order was issued in haste and without proper consideration of the legal and constitutional implications, thereby rendering it invalid.