Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Thursday adjourned to Saturday hearing on a plea of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah challenging Governor’s sanction for his prosecution in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) case.
Justice M Nagaprasanna also extended the interim order granted earlier on August 19 directing the court hearing the matter to defer its proceedings till the next date of hearing.
Siddaramaiah moved the High Court on August 19 challenging legality of Governor’s order
Siddaramaiah had moved the High Court on August 19 challenging the legality of Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot’s order.
Siddaramaiah has claimed in his plea that the decision of the governor granting sanction for prosecution under section 17 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and section 218 of the Bharatiya Nagarika Suraksha Samhitha, 2023 has been done without application of mind. He further alleged that the sanction by the Governor is tainted and an effort to destabilise and elected government in Karnataka. He has sought quashing of the order of the Governor, submitting that the decision of the Governor is legally unsustainable, procedurally flawed, and motivated by extraneous considerations.
Governor accorded sanction on August 16
Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot accorded sanction under section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption (PC) 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 activists Pradeep Kumar SP, TJ Abraham and Snehamayi Krishna on August 16.
Sanction by Governor was without ‘application of mind’ and should be set aside: Singhvi
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who appeared before the High for the Karnataka Chief Minister, told the High Court on Thursday that the sanction by the Karnataka Governor was without “application of mind” and should be set aside.
“Heard the learned senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who has completed his submission for the present and would reserve his right of rejoinder submissions. Once the submissions are concluded by the respondents, the learned solicitor general (Tushar Mehta, who appeared for the Karnataka Governor) submits that the matter would be taken up on 31st (August), he would complete his submissions on the said date. List the matter on Saturday at 10:30 am,” said Justice M Nagaprasanna and added, “Interim order granted on August 19 shall continue till the next date of hearing,” news agency PTI reported.