Karnataka High Court Seeks Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's Stand In Plea Seeking Transfer Of MUDA Case Probe From Lokayukta Police To CBI

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday (November 5) sought Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's stand in a plea seeking a direction to transfer the investigation into the alleged Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) "scam" presently being conducted by the Lokayukta police to the Central Bureau of Investigation.

A single judge bench of Justice M Nagaprasanna issued notice to the respondents–which includes the CM, his wife Paravathy and other persons in petitioner Snehamayi Krishna's petition, and listed the matter on November 26.

The high court directed the Lokayukta police–which is probing the case after the special court had directed it to investigate–to file details of the investigation in the case by the next date of hearing. It also asked the respondents to file their objections if any to the petition by the next date.

Appearing for Krishna, Senior Advocate K G Raghavan submitted during the hearing, “Our allegation is that investigation is not being done in a manner in which public confidence is restored in investigation in a matter of this kind. The investigation as a process must instil public confidence, that is not done”.

On September 24, the high court had dismissed Siddaramaiah's plea against the Governor's decision granting sanction under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act and Section 218 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita for investigation/prosecution against the Chief Minister in the alleged scam.

The next day on a private complaint filed by Kirshna a Special Court in Bengaluru had directed the Mysore Lokayukta Police to investigate the case. The court had ordered the police to investigate the matter and submit a report before the court within 90 days.

Case Title: Snehamayi Krishna AND Union of India & Others

Case No: WP 27484/2024