News on AIR

Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has today granted sanction for the prosecution of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in connection with Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment ‘scam’.

The sanction is based on three petitions filed by T J Abraham, Pradeep and Snehamayi Krishna.

Earlier, on July 26, Governor Gehlot had issued a “show-cause notice” to CM Siddaramaiah, asking him to respond within seven days why he should not face prosecution.

In response, the Karnataka cabinet had “strongly recommended” that the governor retract the notice issued to the chief minister, accusing him of misusing his constitutional role.

In his petition seeking sanction from the Governor, Abhraham has accused Siddaramaiah of manipulation to get MUDA alternative sites for his family, illegally gaining land worth 55.8 crore rupees.

He had also complained to the Election Commission that in the 2013 election affidavit Siddaramaiah had not declared this land gifted to his wife by her brother through a gift deed. Siddaramaiah’s wife had received 14 sites in Mysuru in lieu of land in Kesare village that was acquired by MUDA.

Meanwhile, BJP today hit out at Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over alleged irregularities in allotment of sites by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA).

Talking to media in New Delhi, party Spokesperson Sambit Patra alleged that the Chief Minister and his family are involved in this scam. He said it is of around four thousand crore rupees scam. The BJP leader lauded Karnataka Governor Thawarchand Gehlot for granting sanction for prosecution of the Chief Minister in this case.

Meanwhile, Congress Spokesperson Pawan Khera alleged that the politicisation of constitutional posts has been going on ever since the BJP came to power. He said there is nothing in this case.