BENGALURU, Sep 25: A Special Court here on Wednesday ordered a Lokayukta police probe against Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment case, setting the stage for filing of an FIR against him.
The order of the Special Court came a day after the High Court upheld the sanction granted by the Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot to conduct an investigation against Siddaramaiah on the allegations of illegalities in the allotment of 14 sites to his wife BM Parvathi by MUDA.
The Special Court exclusively to deal with criminal cases related to former and elected MPs/MLAs issued the order directing the Lokayukta police in Mysuru to initiate an investigation on the complaint filed by RTI activist Snehamayi Krishna.
The Court issued directions to take up the probe under section 156 (3) of the CrPC (that gives a magistrate the power to order an investigation into a cognisable offense.) and file the investigation report by December 24.
The HC had also vacated its August 19 interim order directing the Special Court to defer the decision on complaints against the Chief Minister, giving the green signal for ordering a probe.
It had dismissed Siddaramaiah’s petition challenging the legality of the Governor’s August 16 order granting approval for investigation under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption (PC) Act, 1988.
Reacting to the Special Court order, Siddaramaiah reiterated that he was ready to face an investigation.
“Already I have said that I am ready to face an investigation. I am not afraid of a probe,” Siddaramaiah told reporters here. “I am ready for a legal fight. I had said this yesterday and I am reiterating it today as well.” Home Minister G Parameshwara said Lokayukta police is an independent body. “It is not under anyone’s mercy, they will investigate independently.” “…will react once the order copy comes. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has said that he is ready for any probe….what investigation and other things let the order come, and let’s see what (the court) has defined in the order,” he said.
Parameshwara chose not to directly respond to a question regarding a statement made by Siddaramaiah seeking BJP leader and former CM B S Yediyurappa’s resignation during a “similar situation” in the past, and said “let’s see what’s in the order copy.” Meanwhile, the BJP once again demanded Siddaramaiah’s resignation and asked him to cooperate with the probe. (PTI)
