Today, On 26th September, The Karnataka government revoked the CBI’s authorization to probe cases in the state, claiming the agency’s partiality. However, the Law Minister emphasized that the move is not connected to the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) land scam.
Karnataka, On Thursday, revoked the open consent previously granted to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to conduct investigations within the state.
Law Minister HK Patil stated that the move was due to concerns over “biased” actions by the CBI, which the opposition alleges is being used by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to target its leaders, particularly ahead of elections.
He dismissed any connection to the land scam allegations against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
“We are withdrawing open consent for CBI investigations in the state. Our concerns are about the misuse of the agency. They are biased, and that is why we are making this decision,”
Patil explained to reporters, adding,
“This is not because of the MUDA (land scam).”
Law Minister HK Patil stated,
“In all the cases we referred to the CBI, they have not filed chargesheets, leaving many cases unresolved. They also refused to investigate several cases we sent. There are numerous instances like this, the decision to revoke consent was made to control them (the CBI) from taking the wrong path.”
With this move, Karnataka joins a growing list of opposition-ruled states, including Trinamool-led Bengal, DMK-ruled Tamil Nadu, and Left-governed Kerala, that have revoked open consent for CBI investigations.
The withdrawal of open consent means the CBI, as outlined in the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, will now require written permission from state governments to carry out investigations. This issue has become a major point of contention between opposition-ruled states and the BJP-led central government, with opposition parties accusing the BJP of using agencies like the CBI to target their leaders, particularly before elections.
In response to such actions, the Centre, in December, criticized these moves, asserting that requiring CBI to seek permission has significantly restricted its ability to investigate cases. A Parliamentary panel suggested the need for legislation to allow the agency to operate without state “interference.”
At the same time, the panel acknowledged the need for safeguards to ensure that the CBI operates with objectivity and impartiality, so states do not raise concerns about biased actions.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is currently facing a police investigation, following a trial court’s order on Wednesday, related to the alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) land scam. This comes after the High Court dismissed his appeal against Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot’s sanction for prosecution.
The inquiry will investigate allegations that Siddaramaiah’s wife, Parvathi, was allocated multiple plots in a prime Mysuru location as compensation for land acquired elsewhere, reportedly resulting in losses of at least Rs. 4,000 crore to the state, due to land used for infrastructure projects.
After the court rulings this week, the BJP and its ally, Janata Dal (Secular), have escalated their attacks on the Congress and its Chief Minister, demanding his resignation on ethical grounds.
Siddaramaiah, however, has refused to step down and strongly denied the allegations. Last month, he asserted that he had done nothing illegal in his four-decade-long career and expressed confidence that he would be cleared of the charges.
The Chief Minister received support from his party, the Congress, including backing from Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who also serves as the state Congress president, and other cabinet members like IT Minister Priyank Kharge.
However, there are some within the Congress, such as former Assembly Speaker KB Koliwad, who have called for his resignation.