Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is facing mounting challenges after Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot granted permission on Saturday, August 17, to initiate prosecution in connection with the alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam.

“I hereby accord sanction against Chief Minister Sri 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,” Gehlot said in a August 16 communication released Saturday.

The scam allegations involve the fraudulent allocation of land plots by MUDA to Siddaramaiah’s wife. This development follows a “show-cause notice” issued by Governor Gehlot to CM Siddaramaiah on July 26, demanding a response within seven days regarding the prevention of prosecution.

The MUDA scam, which has recently been in the spotlight, pertains to the exchange of less valuable land in a remote area for prime land in a more desirable location. The controversy has escalated as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s wife, Parvathi, is allegedly a beneficiary, placing the Chief Minister under scrutiny for potential corruption. 

Opposition parties claim that the Chief Minister illegally acquired land belonging to the Dalit community and suggest that the scam could be valued at around Rs 3,000 crore.

In the complaint, Snehamayi Krishna accuses MUDA of fabricating documents and obtaining plots worth crores of rupees. The complaint also implicates Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, his wife Parvathy, and his brother-in-law Malikarjuna Swamy Devaraj in the wrongdoing.

The Chief Minister has denied all allegations, asserting that everything was conducted according to the law. He has accused MUDA of illegally developing a layout on four acres of land owned by his wife in Mysuru’s Kesarur without proper acquisition.

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

The Opposition, including BJP and JD(S), has demanded Siddaramaiah’s resignation and called for the return of the land given to his family. Earlier this month, a week-long protest march culminated in a large rally, highlighting the issue.