Karnataka HC upholds governor’s sanction to prosecute Siddaramaiah in alleged land scam
The chief minister had contended that the governor’s decision was part of a concerted effort to destabilise the state’s Congress government.
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The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday upheld the sanction granted by Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot to prosecute Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the alleged Mysore Urban Development Authority scam, reported Live Law.
The alleged scam pertains to the allotment of 14 high-value housing sites in Mysuru’s Vijaynagar area to Siddaramaiah’s wife, Parvathi, in 2021 by the Mysore Urban Development Authority under a state government scheme.
This was allegedly done in exchange for 3.16 acres of land that Parvathi owned in another part of the city. The land was allegedly illegally acquired from Dalit families.
“The complainants were justified in pursuing the complaint and seeking approval at the hands of the governor,” said a single-judge bench of Justice M Nagaprasanna while dismissing Siddaramaiah’s petition on Tuesday, according to Bar and Bench.
The court also noted that it was the duty of the complainant to seek approval under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act and that the governor could make an independent decision.
Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act deals with the inquiry or investigation of offences related to recommendations made or decisions taken by a public servant while performing their official functions or duties.
“The facts narrated in the petition need investigation,” Nagaprasanna said.
On August 19, Siddaramaiah moved the High Court challenging Gehlot’s decision to grant sanction to prosecute him...
