MUDA case: Karnataka High Court extends stay on trial court proceedings against CM Siddaramaiah till September 12

Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Monday adjourned to September 12 the hearing on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's petition challenging the legality of Governor Thaawarchand's sanction for his prosecution in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) case.

The court also extended its August 19 interim order directing the special court for people's representatives that was slated to hear complaints against him in the case, to defer its proceedings till the next date of hearing.

"Heard the learned council Lakshmi Iyengar appearing for fourth respondent (Snehamayi Krishna).The respondents have all completed their submissions. The learned Advocate General has also completed his submissions. For the reply submission of senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi and senior counsel Prof Ravi Varma Kumar, list this matter on September 12 at 12 pm," Justice M Nagaprasanna said.

The Judge said, "on September 12, we should be completing this."

The Governor on August 16 accorded sanction 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 of Pradeep Kumar S P, T J Abraham and Snehamayi Krishna.

On August 19, Siddaramaiah moved to the high court challenging the legality of the Governor's order.

In the petition, the Chief Minister submitted that the sanction order was issued without due application of mind, in violation of statutory mandates, and contrary to constitutional principles, including the advice of the Council of Ministers, which is binding under Article 163 of the Constitution of India.

Siddaramaiah sought quashing of the Governor's order contending that his decision is legally unsustainable, procedurally flawed, and motivated by extraneous considerations.