Karnataka HC Extends Stay On CM Siddaramaiah’s MUDA Case Till Sept 12

MUDA Case

The Karnataka High Court has adjourned the hearing of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s petition, challenging the Governor’s sanction for his prosecution in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) case, to September 12.

The court also extended its interim order from August 19, which directs the special court handling the case to defer proceedings until the next hearing.

Justice M. Nagaprasanna, presiding over the case, stated that the hearing would likely conclude on September 12, following reply submissions from senior counsels Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Prof. Ravi Varma Kumar. The respondents, represented by Lakshmi Iyengar, have already completed their submissions, as has the Advocate General.

Siddaramaiah’s petition challenges the Governor’s sanction granted on August 16 under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and Section 218 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. The sanction was based on complaints filed by Pradeep Kumar S. P., T. J. Abraham, and Snehamayi Krishna.

The Chief Minister argued that the sanction was issued without proper consideration and violated statutory and constitutional principles, including Article 163, which mandates that the Governor act on the advice of the Council of Ministers. He is seeking to have the Governor’s order quashed, calling it legally flawed and driven by extraneous factors.