Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Saturday granted sanction for Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s prosecution in connection with the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment ‘scam,’

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reacted to the governor granting permission to prosecute him in the alleged MUDA scam. He stated that he has done nothing wrong to warrant his resignation. “The entire Cabinet, party high command, all MLAs, MLCs, and Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs are with me,” Siddaramaiah said. Earlier in the day, Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has granted sanction for his prosecution in connection with the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment ‘scam,’ news agency ANI reported, citing Raj Bhavan.

“The Governor has granted sanction for prosecution against the Chief Minister. It is based on three petitions filed by T J Abraham, one Pradeep and Snehamayi Krishna,” an official at the Raj Bhavan told PTI.

Governor had issued a “showcause notice” on July 26 based on the petition filed by advocate-activist T J Abraham. The notice directed the Karnataka CM to submit his reply to the land scam allegations against him within seven days.

On August 1, the Karnataka administration decidedly urged the Governor to withdraw his “show cause notice” directed at the Chief Minister, voicing their concerns over what they perceived as a considerable misuse of the Governor’s Constitutional powers.

Governor Gehlot asked T J Abraham to appear in Raj Bhavan today. He is expected to meet the Governor at 3 pm.

Siddaramaiah finds himself under fire from state opposition, accused of illicit involvement in a property transaction that panned out in his wife’s favor, allocating her 14 housing plots in Mysuru. Critics also label him with the mismanagement and diversion of INR 89.73 crores, originally intended for the upliftment of Scheduled Tribes via a state development corporation.

Reacting to the major development, Congress spokesperson Ramesh Babu stated that Governor Gehlot’s assent is “against the order of the state High Court in the Yediyurappa case, is biased and part of a conspiracy. Congress will launch a legal fight to nullify the Governor’s move.”

However, The Karnataka government is very likely to challenge the Governor’s sanction in the High Court on Monday.

To bring a private complaint against the Chief Minister on grounds of suspected graft, it’s essential to first secure the Governor’s sanction. Once you’ve submitted your private grievances in court and received the Governor’s consent, it’s then up to the court’s discretion whether a First Information Report (FIR) can be registered concerning the case.