Karnataka BJP and JD(S) to Protest Against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah

Karnataka BJP President BY Vijayendra has announced that the BJP and Janata Dal (Secular) [JD(S)] will hold a protest in the Vidhana Soudha premises on Thursday. This decision comes in light of a recent court order directing the Karnataka Lokyukta to investigate Chief Minister Siddaramaiah concerning allegations related to the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) ‘scam’.

Court Directs Investigation
The Bengaluru Special Court has ordered an investigation against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for alleged irregularities in the allotment of 14 sites valued at ₹56 crore to his wife, Parvathi, by the MUDA. Vijayendra expressed support for the court’s ruling, urging the Chief Minister to resign and transfer the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Legal Proceedings and Background
The Mysuru district police under the Karnataka Lokyukta will conduct the investigation and are required to submit a report within three months. This decision follows the Karnataka High Court’s recent ruling, which vacated an interim stay that had previously delayed proceedings against Siddaramaiah.

Allegations of Illegal Allotment
The allegations against Siddaramaiah involve the illegal allotment of prime sites in Mysuru city to his wife. The High Court’s ruling dismissed Siddaramaiah’s petition that challenged Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot’s approval for the investigation into these alleged irregularities.

Implications of the Ruling
In his judgment, Justice Nagaprasanna stated that the Governor’s sanction for prosecution did not indicate a lack of due diligence. With the High Court’s decision to lift the interim stay, a First Information Report (FIR) is now expected to be registered as part of the ongoing investigation into the matter.