Himalaya Harbinger, Rudrapur Bureau
The has dismissed Chief Minister siddaramaiah,s challenge to Governor thawar chand gehlot s decision to sanction his prosecution in the alleged Muda land scam case
A bench of Justice M Nagaprasanna said the Governor “did apply his mind in abundance” and that the order (sanctioning prosecution) “does not suffer from non-application of mind…” “There is no fault in the Governor’s actions. The facts narrated need investigation. The petition is dismissed,” the court said.
The court subsequently also dismissed a plea by senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for the Chief Minister, to stay its order for two weeks. The judge said he could not stay his own order.
The High Court’s ruling means the lower court can now initiate legal proceedings against the Chief Minister, which will include filing a first information report and ramp up pressure on Siddaramaiah.
Ahead of the verdict, security had been beefed up around his residence and the police were told to be on high alert to avert “untoward incidents”, underlining the political tension over the alleged land scam.
BJP Wants Resignation
Shortly after the verdict the Bharatiya Janata Party – which has targeted the Congress government and Siddaramaiah in this matter – was up in arms, demanding, again, the Chief Minister quit. BY Vijayendra, the BJP’s state unit chief, demanded Siddaramaiah “resign immediately, without further delay”.
BJP has been relentlessly fighting against the corrupt Congress government. They (the Congress) said that BJP is plotting a political conspiracy… but the High Court has clearly said the decision taken by the Governor is correct. Accepting this decision, the Chief Minister should resign immediately…”
Congress Says “Conspiracy”
The Congress – for whom the verdict has been seen as a setback, particularly with the Haryana election next week – has backed Siddaramaiah, with his deputy, DK Shivakumar, alleging “a big conspiracy”.
“I am telling you again… there is no setback for the Chief Minister. It is a big conspiracy against our leaders. We will fight it out. We respect the legal system… we will get justice,” he told reporters.
Support from Mr Shivakumar – who is also the Congress’ state boss – is seen as key for Siddaramaiah, since the two were at odds for the Chief Minister’s post after last year’s Assembly election win.
Governor “Hasn’t Applied Mind”: Siddaramaiah
Mr Siddaramaiah had argued the order sanctioning his prosecution is illegal since the Governor could not make such a recommendation without state approval. Appearing for the Chief Minister, Mr Singhvi argued the Governor “hasn’t applied his mind”. The sanction is therefore “fully reviewable”, he said
You are negating the mandate of the people… With no inputs taken from me (referring to the state government) by the Governor… this order is judicially reviewable,” he told the High Court.
