K'taka HC dismisses Siddaramaiah's petition; clears way for MUDA land scam investigation

BJP demands CM's resignation; ‘political vendetta', says CM

- VINAY KUMAR

The Karnataka High Court has dismissed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's petition challenging Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot's decision to sanction his prosecution in the alleged MUDA land scam case.

A bench of Justice M. Nagaprasanna said on Tuesday that the Governor "did apply his mind in abundance" and that the order (sanctioning prosecution) "does not suffer from non-application of mind..."

The court subsequently dismissed a plea by senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for the Chief Minister, to stay its order for two weeks. The judge said he could not stay his own order.

The High Court's ruling means the lower court can now initiate legal proceedings against the Chief Minister, which will include filing a First Information Report and increasing pressure on Siddaramaiah.

Earlier, the High Court had directed the trial court not to take any action until its verdict. Soon after the High Court verdict, the Bharatiya Janata Party again demanded that the Chief Minister quit. The BJP has been targeting Siddaramaiah over this issue. B. Y. Vijayendra, the BJP's state unit chief, demanded that Siddaramaiah “resign immediately, without further delay.”