Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has filed a writ petition in the High Court today, seeking to quash the sanction granted by Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot for an investigation into alleged irregularities in the allotment of alternative sites by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA).
The controversy centers around accusations of corruption in the MUDA land allotment process, implicating the Chief Minister’s family. The Governor’s sanction, issued on August 16, allows for a probe under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and Section 218 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
Siddaramaiah has voiced strong objections to the Governor’s decision, labeling it as “totally unconstitutional” and claiming it was politically motivated. He argued that the sanction was issued without proper consideration, in violation of statutory requirements, and contrary to constitutional principles, including the advice of the Council of Ministers.
During a press interaction on August 17, the Chief Minister said, “The decision taken by the Governor is totally unconstitutional. He has no authority. I will fight it out legally in a court of law because it is an illegal sanction given by the Governor.”
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In his petition, Siddaramaiah contends that the Governor’s decision is legally unsustainable, procedurally flawed, and motivated by extraneous considerations. He seeks judicial intervention to overturn the impugned order, asserting that the advice of the Council of Ministers under Article 163 of the Constitution should be binding.
