Karnataka’s government has passed the Transparency in Public Procurements (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which reserves 4% of government contracts for Muslims. Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot raised constitutional concerns, stating reservations based on religion are prohibited. The bill is criticized by the BJP but defended by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah as a means to uplift disadvantaged communities.
![[MUDA Scam] Karnataka HC Adjourns Hearing of CM Siddharamaiah's Plea Related To Transfer Of Cases Till Dec 10](https://i0.wp.com/lawchakra.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image-7-3.png?resize=447%2C355&ssl=1)
The Karnataka HC Today (Sept 24) dismissed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s petition challenging Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot’s decision to sanction his prosecution in the alleged MUDA land scam case. Bench ruled the Governor could take an “independent decision” and that Mr Gehlot “did apply his mind in abundance”. There is, therefore, “no fault in the Governor’s actions, as far as the order (to prosecute the Chief Minister) is concerned”, the court said.
![[MUDA Scam] "State Cabinet's Advice was a Copy-Paste Job, Lacking Independent Thought or Application of Mind": SG Tushar Mehta to Karnataka HC](https://i0.wp.com/lawchakra.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/shared-image-5.jpg?resize=447%2C367&ssl=1)
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta highlighted similarities between the State Cabinet’s advice against prosecuting Siddaramaiah in the MUDA case and the Advocate General’s opinion. He criticized the lack of independent thought, suggesting that AI could have been used to paraphrase the content. The case surrounds allegations of corruption related to land allocation. Various respondents are challenging Siddaramaiah’s petition against the prosecution sanction, with the High Court extending its interim order. The next hearing is set for September 2, with Siddaramaiah’s representatives preparing to make additional submissions.
The Karnataka High Court has postponed trial court proceedings against CM Siddaramaiah regarding land allocation irregularities by the MUDA. The Governor’s decision to prosecute him is being challenged, arguing lack of justification and failure to follow the State Cabinet’s dismissal of the complaint. The High Court has temporarily restrained the trial court from proceeding, emphasizing the importance of its consideration.