Karnataka Muda scam: Key details behind the ongoing controversy

NEW DELHI: The Karnataka high court is set to deliver its judgment at 12pm on Tuesday on the petition submitted by chief minister Siddaramaiah that challenges the consent given by governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot to initiate a probe against the CM in the alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) alternative-site allotment case.
The governor's sanction was granted under "Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and Section 218 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023," following petitions submitted by activists Pradeep Kumar SP, TJ Abraham, and Snehamayi Krishna.
The high court had previously granted temporary relief to the chief minister on August 19, instructing a special court in Bengaluru to postpone further proceedings and refrain from taking any precipitative action based on the governor's sanction.
While many senior lawyers including Supreme Court lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi argued for Siddaramaiah, solicitor general Tushar Mehta argued for governor Thawar Chand Gehlot.
Here's all you need to know about the raging controversy:
What is the Muda scam controversy ?
The controversy revolves around the alleged irregularities in the allotment of compensatory sites. The focal point of the controversy is a 3.2-acre tract of land that was gifted to Parvathi, the chief minister's wife, by her brother Mallikarjunaswamy in 2010.
After Muda acquired the land, Parvathi requested compensation and was consequently allotted 14 plots. It is alleged that these plots hold significantly higher value compared to the original parcel of land.
The opposition parties claim that the total value of the scam could potentially fall within the range of Rs 3,000 crore to Rs 4,000 crore.

Second CM from Karnataka to face prosecution
Chief minister Siddaramaiah(76), is now the second Karnataka CM to face prosecution while in office, following BJP's BS Yediyurappa in 2011. The irony lies in the fact that Siddaramaiah, who once demanded Yediyurappa's resignation as opposition leader, is now facing similar charges and increasing calls for his own resignation. The current circumstances bear a striking resemblance to the events that transpired in 2011.
In the case of Yediyurappa, the prosecution was approved by the then governor HR Bhardwaj on December 12, 2010, based on a petition submitted by advocates Sirajin Basha and KN Balaraj. The sanction was granted under "Section 19(1) of the Prevention of Corruption Act1988, and Section 197 of Criminal Procedure Code-1973." This decision sparked controversy and led to widespread protests by the BJP.
Yediyurappa did not immediately step down despite the pressure. He convened a cabinet meeting to denounce the governor's decision and engaged in a prolonged legal battle. After months of political pressure and an indictment by the then Lokayukta Santosh Hegde in the illegal mining scandal, he ultimately resigned from his position.
The sanction against Siddaramaiah is another rare but notable instance in Indian political history where governors have taken decisive actions against chief ministers. Similar situations have arisen in other states, such as the cases of J Jayalalithaa, AR Antulay, and Lalu Prasad Yadav, all of whom resigned after the sanction to prosecute them was granted.