Karnataka Governor seeks report from government on works undertaken purportedly on CM’s oral instruction

Karnataka Governor seeks report on alleged ₹387 crore MUDA works, Siddaramaiah investigation, and controversial site allotment case.

Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has sought a detailed report from the government in connection with Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) allegedly undertaking works worth ₹387 crore in violation of rules purportedly on oral instruction of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in his Varuna constituency, and Srirangapatna.

Mr. Gehlot has written to Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh citing detailed representation submitted in this regard, and terming the allegation as “serious in nature.”

The letter comes close on the heels of the Governor on August 16 according sanction for investigation against Siddaramaiah under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and Section 218 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, for the commission of the alleged offences as mentioned in the petitions of Pradeep Kumar S.P., T.J. Abraham and Snehamayi Krishna, in connection with a MUDA site allotment case.

The Governor said in the letter that a person named P.S. Nataraj from Mysuru has submitted to him a detailed representation dated August 27, wherein, he has informed that the MUDA has undertaken works of worth ₹387 crore in violation of sections 15 and 25 of the Karnataka Urban Development Authority Act, 1987 on the Chief Minister's oral instruction in Varuna and also in Srirangapatna constituency.

The petitioner has also informed that, in spite of non-availability of funds in the authority, decision has been taken on the oral instruction, he said, adding, "further, he alleged that by doing this the authority has misused its power and requested to conduct enquiry from CBI." "Since, the allegation is of serious in nature, it is directed to look into the matter and submit the detailed report along with documents at the earliest," the Governor added.

The High Court on September 12 completed its hearing on Siddaramaiah’s petition challenging the legality of Governor Gehlot’s approval for investigation against him in the MUDA site allotment case, and reserved its orders. On August 19, Siddaramaiah moved to the High Court challenging the legality of the Governor's order.

In the MUDA site allotment case, it is alleged that compensatory sites were allotted to Siddaramaiah's wife B.M. Parvathi in an upmarket area in Mysuru, which had higher property value as compared to the location of her land which had been "acquired" by the MUDA.