Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s woes have deepened as Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has granted approval for his prosecution in connection with the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) land scam. The move follows a complaint filed by RTI activist T.J. Abraham, who had appealed to the Governor to allow legal proceedings against the Chief Minister.
The case revolves around allegations that Siddaramaiah facilitated the transfer of a prime piece of MUDA-acquired land into his wife’s name. The land, located in a posh area of Mysuru, is reportedly of significantly higher market value than the original property.
This controversy has prompted sharp criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has been vocal in demanding Siddaramaiah’s resignation. As part of their protest, BJP leaders organised a march from Bengaluru to Mysuru to draw attention to the issue.
On 26 July, Governor Gehlot issued a show-cause notice to the Chief Minister based on T.J. Abraham’s petition. The notice directed Siddaramaiah to respond to the allegations and justify why prosecution should not be initiated against him. In response, the Karnataka government requested the Governor to withdraw the notice on 1 August, accusing him of misusing his constitutional powers.
Amid these developments, T.J. Abraham is expected to meet the Governor at 3 pm today, although no official details have been confirmed about the agenda of the meeting.
The approval for prosecution comes as a significant setback for the Congress government in Karnataka, which has been attempting to contain the fallout from the controversy. The case has reignited debates around ethics and governance, adding pressure on Siddaramaiah as he navigates these fresh legal and political challenges.
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