Governor Gehlot Sanctions Prosecution of Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah in MUDA Land Scam

Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Saturday approved the prosecution of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in connection with allegations related to a land allotment controversy involving the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA). The decision follows three petitions from individuals T J Abraham, Pradeep, and Snehamayi Krishna.

“The Governor has granted sanction for prosecution against the Chief Minister based on petitions filed by T J Abraham, Pradeep, and Snehamayi Krishna,” said an official from the Raj Bhavan confirming the Governor's decision. The prosecution will address alleged irregularities in MUDA's land allocations. The Chief Minister's Office has received the communication from the Governor’s Secretariat, which includes a directive for prosecution under Section 17 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and Section 218 of the Bharatiya Nagarika Suraksha Samhitha, 2023. The Governor's move comes after Siddaramaiah’s government had earlier requested the Governor not to sanction the prosecution, accusing him of misusing his constitutional office.

The BJP welcomed the Governor's decision. "By maintaining sufficient records and evidence against the Congress government's scandals and the Chief Minister's relatives, Siddaramaiah has shown that no one can shake him,” said state BJP chief BY Vijayendra. The BJP has been critical of Siddaramaiah, alleging corruption and bias. In response, Karnataka Congress has accused the Governor of political bias. "The Governor has acted with alarming speed only on a baseless private complaint against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, while delaying action in other probes," the party claimed. They argue that the Governor’s actions are politically motivated.

Earlier, on July 26, the Governor issued a "show-cause notice" to Siddaramaiah, demanding an explanation for why he should not be prosecuted. This notice led the Karnataka cabinet to urge the Governor to withdraw the notice, citing misuse of his office.

The allegations center on the allotment of 14 alternative sites in an upscale Mysuru neighborhood to Siddaramaiah's wife, BM Parvathi. Activist T J Abraham claimed this allotment resulted in a ₹45 crore loss to the state exchequer. The complaint also named Siddaramaiah, his wife, son S Yathindra, and senior MUDA officials. Another activist, Snehamayi Krishna, has also accused Siddaramaiah and his family, along with MUDA officials, of involvement in the alleged scam. However, a fresh FIR has not been filed as investigations are already underway.

Siddaramaiah has defended the transactions, stating that the land in question was a gift from his wife’s brother in 1998, and the compensation was granted in 2014 when he was Chief Minister. He criticized the BJP’s stance, saying, "They (BJP) are the ones who gave the site. Now, if they call it illegal, how should one respond?"

The BJP and JD(S) recently conducted a week-long protest march from Bengaluru to Mysuru, demanding Siddaramaiah’s resignation over the alleged corruption. The protest highlighted claims that MUDA fraudulently allocated sites, including to Siddaramaiah's wife. The MUDA land scam, which opposition parties claim involves ₹3,000 crore, revolves around allegations of exchanging valuable land for less desirable locations. Siddaramaiah has denied these claims, asserting that the land in question was improperly developed without proper acquisition.​