Karnataka Governor writes to Chief Secretary over MUDA scam, seeks detailed report

Sep 19, 2024

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], September 19 : Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Thursday wrote to the state's Chief Secretary, Shalini Rajneesh, over the alleged MUDA scam and demanded a detailed report along with documents at the earliest.
The letter mentioned that P.S. Nataraj, Mysuru, has submitted a detailed representation dated August 27, wherein he has informed that the Mysuru Urban Development Authority has undertaken works worth Rs. 387 crores in violation of sections 15 and 25 of the Karnataka Urban Development Authority Act, 1987, on the oral instruction of the Chief Minister in his constituency, Varuna and also in Srirangapattana constituency.
"The petitioner has also informed that, in spite of the non-availability of funds in the authority, a decision has been taken on the oral instruction of the Chief Minister. Further, he alleged that by doing this, the authority has misused its power and requested to conduct an inquiry from CBI. Since the allegation is serious in nature, it is directed to look into the matter and submit the detailed report along with documents at the earliest," the governor said.
On August 31, the office of the Karantaka Governor told the high court in the state that the sanction granted to prosecute Karnataka Chief Minister K Siddaramaiah in the alleged Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam was done after "application of mind."
When asked about the status of the investigation, he said that all the agencies have different mandates and submit their report to court after the investigation.
In August, amid the row over Karnataka Governor Thawarchand Gehlot granting permission for the prosecution of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, state ministers and legislators conducted a 'Raj Bhavan Chalo' protest.
The Congress has accused the Governor of discriminatory behaviour alleging that several other cases are also pending before the Governor, but he has not made any decisions on them.
Thaawarchand Gehlot sanctioned prosecution against Siddaramaiah in a case of alleged corruption in the allotment of land to his wife by the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA).