Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot okays prosecution against Siddaramaiah

This is in connection with MUDA land scam

RTI activist TJ Abraham had sought permission

In a significant political development, Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot has granted permission to prosecute Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in connection with the alleged Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) land scam. The Governor’s approval came after a complaint filed by RTI activist TJ Abraham, who has been pursuing the case, alleging irregularities in land allotments by MUDA.

Also Read: MUDA scam: K’taka cabinet passes resolution against show-cause to Siddaramaiah

The controversy centers around accusations that Parvathi Siddaramaiah, the Chief Minister’s wife, received preferential treatment in a land exchange deal. In 2021, MUDA acquired Parvathi Siddaramaiah’s 3-acre plot in Kesare village, Mysuru, for development purposes. In return, she was reportedly allocated land in the upscale Vijayanagar area of south Mysuru, which has a significantly higher market value than the original plot in Kesare.

Abraham, who serves as the President of the Karnataka Anti-Graft and Environmental Forum, has claimed that Siddaramaiah failed to disclose his wife’s ownership of the Kesare land in his 2023 Assembly election affidavit. The Governor has directed Abraham to meet him at Raj Bhavan for further discussion on the matter.

This development adds to the mounting political pressure on Siddaramaiah as opposition parties seize on the allegations, calling for his resignation.