Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah – likely to be prosecuted for his role in the alleged MUDA land scam case – has underlined his confidence in the judicial system and said, “I believe in the law and the Constitution.” The truth will “finally win”, he said and slammed the “revenge politics” of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government at the centre.
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Bengaluru: In a statement amidst allegations regarding his involvement in the MUDA land scam case, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed his unwavering confidence in the judicial system, emphasizing his faith in the country’s legal framework.
“I believe in the law and the Constitution,”
-Siddaramaiah asserted, adding that he is certain the truth will “finally win” in the matter.
The Chief Minister took the opportunity to criticize what he described as “revenge politics” being carried out by the Narendra Modi-led BJP government at the center. He suggested that the ongoing case is politically motivated, with the BJP and JDS targeting him for his pro-poor stance and his ongoing fight for social justice.
Siddaramaiah highlighted the support he has received from his party members, stating,
“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.”
He pointed to this backing as evidence that the case against him is part of a broader political strategy by his opponents. According to him,
“The BJP and JDS have resorted to political retaliation against me because I am pro-poor and fighting for social justice.”
As the MUDA land scam case continues to unfold, Siddaramaiah remains confident that justice will prevail, while maintaining that the charges are part of a political vendetta against him for his commitment to progressive policies.
HEARING TODAY IN HC
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court today (Sept 24) dismissed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s challenge to Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot’s decision to sanction his prosecution in the alleged MUDA land scam case.
The court’s ruling clears the way for legal proceedings to begin against the Chief Minister, adding pressure on him amidst the ongoing controversy.
Justice M Nagaprasanna, who presided over the case, upheld the Governor’s decision, stating,
“The Governor did apply his mind in abundance”
and that the order
“does not suffer from non-application of mind…”
The court emphasized that there was
“no fault in the Governor’s actions”
and that the facts of the case warranted further investigation. Consequently, the court ruled that
“the petition is dismissed.”
The ruling also included the rejection of a plea by senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, who appeared on behalf of Siddaramaiah, requesting a two-week stay on the order. Justice Nagaprasanna declined the request, stating that he could not stay his own order. This decision means that the lower court can now initiate legal proceedings, starting with the filing of a first information report (FIR) and further investigation into the allegations.
Previously, the High Court had instructed the trial court to take no action until its final verdict was delivered. With the dismissal of Siddaramaiah’s petition, the path is now clear for legal actions to proceed, which may put significant pressure on the Chief Minister.
In anticipation of the court’s ruling, security was heightened around Siddaramaiah’s residence, and police were placed on high alert to prevent any “untoward incidents.” This reflects the heightened political tension surrounding the alleged land scam, with both political and legal ramifications for the Chief Minister.
The MUDA land scam case has drawn considerable public attention, and this latest ruling is likely to escalate the scrutiny Siddaramaiah faces as legal processes move forward.
MUDA Land Scam Case Explained
The MUDA land scam case revolves around allegations of irregularities in the allotment of land to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s wife, Parvathi, in an upscale area of Mysuru as compensation for land that had been acquired for infrastructure development elsewhere.
The core of the controversy is that the value of the land allotted as compensation allegedly far exceeds the value of the land originally taken, leading to accusations of significant financial impropriety.
Key Allegations
Critics claim that the value of the land allocated to Parvathi is inflated by an estimated Rs 4,000 to Rs 5,000 crore when compared to the land that was acquired by the government for development purposes. This discrepancy has drawn sharp criticism and accusations of misuse of power.
Activist Complaints
The case gained public attention when activist TJ Abraham filed a complaint naming Siddaramaiah, his wife, his son, and senior officials of the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA). The complaint specifically alleges that the allotment of 14 alternative sites in a Mysuru neighborhood was illegal and caused a loss to the state exchequer amounting to Rs 45 crore.
Siddaramaiah’s Defense
In his defense, Siddaramaiah has maintained that the land in question was originally gifted to his wife by her brother in 1998. However, this claim has been challenged by another activist, Snehmayi Krishna, who alleged that Parvathi’s brother procured the land illegally and, with the help of government officials, used forged documents to register the land. The land was reportedly shown to have been purchased in 1998.
Compensation Request
The controversy further deepened when Siddaramaiah’s wife sought compensation for the land in 2014, while Siddaramaiah was serving as Chief Minister of Karnataka. This move raised additional concerns about the potential abuse of political power to benefit family members.
Governor’s Approval for Prosecution
On August 17, 2024, Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot gave his clearance to prosecute Siddaramaiah, sparking a political firestorm. The decision was met with furious protests from the Congress Party, which responded by organizing state-wide dharnas (sit-ins), foot-marches, and rallies against the Governor’s decision. The Congress leadership claimed that the prosecution was politically motivated.
High Court Petition
Two days after the Governor’s decision, Siddaramaiah filed a petition in the Karnataka High Court challenging the prosecution clearance. This legal battle culminated in the High Court’s dismissal of his petition, paving the way for the prosecution to proceed.
The allegations in the MUDA land scam case have led to significant political and legal challenges for Siddaramaiah, with accusations of corruption and impropriety threatening to undermine his position. At the heart of the case are questions about the fairness of land compensation practices and the potential abuse of political power for personal gain.
As the investigation moves forward, the case is likely to continue stirring political controversy and legal scrutiny.
Click Here to Read Previous Reports on Siddaramaiah
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