Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is preparing to challenge Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot’s sanction for a probe into the Muda scam in the Karnataka High Court on Monday. Siddaramaiah spent much of Sunday consulting with his legal team. Alongside Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, the Congress will also file a petition against the governor’s sanction. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal will represent Siddaramaiah, while AICC legal wing chairman Abhishek Manu Singhvi will stand for the party. Congress MLA and CM’s legal adviser AS Ponnanna stated that the legal team has prepared a petition arguing that the governor’s sanction was issued without a report from any probe agency establishing a prima facie case.
Ponnanna argued that the governor’s sanction appears politically motivated, noting that applications for sanctions against former ministers Shashikala Jolle and Murugesh Nirani, as well as Union minister HD Kumaraswamy, remain pending before the governor. “We believe we have a strong case against this sanction and expect it to be quashed,” Ponnanna added.
Meanwhile, the special court for people’s representatives is expected to rule on the admissibility of a petition filed by social activist Snehamayi Krishna against Siddaramaiah on Tuesday. Another petition filed by TJ Abraham will be argued on Wednesday. The Chief Minister’s office indicated that further legal action will be determined based on the special court’s outcomes. Both Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar will travel to New Delhi on Wednesday to update the party high command on the case’s developments.
IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge accused the BJP of attempting to destabilize the government by misusing the governor’s office, stating, “The Centre may support this effort, but we are resolute and stand firmly with the Constitution.” A large protest is scheduled to take place at Freedom Park in Bengaluru on Monday.
