Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has approached Karnataka High Court against GovernorThaawarchand Gehlot’s order sanctioning prosecution against him for the alleged scam in Mysuru Urban Development Authority.
In his plea, Siddaramaiah has said the sanction order was issued without due application of mind, “in violation of statutory mandates, and contrary to constitutional principles, including the advice of the Council of Ministers, which is binding under Article 163 of the Constitution of India”, Live Law reported. The chief minister in his plea said the governor’s move is part of concerted effort to destabilise a duly elected government.
Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Saturday granted permission to prosecute Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in connection with the MUDA site allotment scam. The move comes after three separate complaints filed by social activists T.J. Abraham, Snehmayi Krishna and Pradeep.
It has been alleged that compensatory sites were allotted to Siddaramaiah's wife Parvathi in Mysuru. The allotted site in an upmarket area in the city reportedly had higher property value as compared to the land acquired from her by the MUDA. Under the scheme, MUDA allotted 50 per cent of developed land in lieu of the undeveloped land acquired from them.
Governor Gehlot had issued a showcause notice to Siddaramaiah on July 26, directing the chief minister to submit his response to the allegations against him within seven days. The governor sought replies regarding why permission for prosecution should not be granted against him.
Following this, the Karnataka government had on August 1 "strongly advised" Gehlot to withdraw his "showcause notice" to Siddaramaiah, slamming him for the "gross misuse" of the Constitutional office of the governor.
