Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has secured temporary relief from the state’s High Court amid ongoing legal proceedings related to the MUDA case.
On Monday, the High Court granted an interim stay on an order by Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot that sanctioned an investigation against the Chief Minister, effectively shielding him from the immediate threat of an FIR and subsequent probe.
The court, led by Justice M. Nagaprasanna, adjourned the case until 29 August, instructing the lower courts, including the Special Court for MLAs/MPs, to refrain from issuing any further directives or orders in relation to the complaints filed by social activists T.J. Abraham and Snehamayi Krishna.
This development comes as a significant reprieve for Siddaramaiah, who is currently under scrutiny for his alleged involvement in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) case.
The High Court’s order prevents any immediate legal action, providing the Chief Minister with temporary immunity.
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Siddaramaiah, argued that the Governor authorized the investigation for political reasons without a proper legal basis during the proceedings.
Singhvi asserted that the Governor bypassed the advice of the state Cabinet and moved hastily to sanction the prosecution, raising concerns about the intent behind the decision.
Singhvi also questioned the credibility of petitioner TJ Abraham, highlighting his previous fines imposed by the Supreme Court and suggesting that the complaints were driven by malicious intent to destabilize the current government.
He emphasized that the Governor had acted on the complaint against Siddaramaiah immediately, while ignoring a dozen other pending complaints.
On the other hand, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, arguing on behalf of the Governor’s office, defended the Governor’s decision, stating that it was within his constitutional powers to authorize the investigation.
Mehta argued that the Cabinet dismissed the complaint to shield the Chief Minister from accountability, citing a ruling by a five-judge bench to justify the Governor’s actions.
Despite Mehta’s request to delay the proceedings until 20 August, the court decided to hear the matter immediately, given the urgency of the situation and the potential for the Special Court to issue its ruling on the same day.
With the High Court’s intervention, all eyes are now on the next hearing scheduled for 29 August, where the fate of the investigation and the legal battle surrounding the MUDA case will continue to unfold.
For now, Siddaramaiah remains free from immediate legal jeopardy, but the looming court proceedings will undoubtedly keep the political landscape in Karnataka tense.
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