Deputy Chief Minister and KPCC President DK Shivakumar led a delegation of Congress leaders to the Raj Bhavan to protest against Karnataka Governor Thawaar Chand Gehlot allowing the prosecution of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, in Bengaluru on August 31, 2024. | Photo Credit: K Murali Kumar
In the midst of the Karnataka High Court hearing the governor’s sanction on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s prosecution for alleged irregularities in the allotment of 14 sites by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA), Mr. Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, Ministers, legislators and leaders of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee walked in a procession to the Raj Bhavan on August 31. They demanded that Governor Thaarwar Chand Gehlot condemn the prosecution of Union Industries Minister and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy, former ministers and BJP MLAs Janardhan Reddy and Shashikala Jolle, and former Ministers. and former MLA Murugesh Nirani.
He demanded prosecution of JD(S) and BJP leaders under Section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act and Section 218 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), as demanded by the Karnataka Lokayukta police and given prior approval under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (Amendment Act, 2018) as requested by the Lokayukta police.
As the governor has yet to give his assent to the 11 bills passed by the State legislature seeking clarification, the memorandum calls for immediate approval.
They staged a dharna in front of the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at the State Secretariat in Bengaluru before going to the Raj Bhavan to deliver a memorandum to the Governor.
In a petition to Mr. Gehlot, he asked the Raj Bhavan to stop abusing the office of the Governor and stop acting on political considerations. “The sanctity of the Governor’s office is in grave danger,” the petition said.
“We are very concerned that you acted in haste on the basis of frivolous petitions while sanctioning Mr. Siddaramaiah’s case, while, continuing to keep in cold storage, HD Kumaraswamy’s plea for sanction.”
The Congress had demanded the prosecution of Mr. Kumaraswamy for his alleged involvement in the illegal agreement of a 550-acre mining lease to Sri Sai Venkateshwara Minerals in 2007.
In another case, the Governor suspended the prosecution of Janardhan Reddy, who had assets disproportionate to his known sources of income, the Congress said.
Also, the Governor did not sanction the prosecution of former BJP ministers Shashikala Jolle and Murugesh Nirani. “In both the cases, the Lokayukta’s request for prior approval under section 17 A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, has been kept in cold storage,” the petition stated.
“Your (Governor’s) action is not only unconstitutional and illegal, but also factually and legally malafide,” the Congress said.
Regarding Mrs. Jolle, the Lokayukta presented evidence of bribery and sought approval before December 9, 2021. However, approval was not granted, according to the petition.
Regarding Mr. Nirani, the Congress said: “Despite the corruption and bribery violations that can be identified from the complaint, the previous approval request sent on February 26, 2024, remains pending.”
In the case of Janardhan Reddy, the Lokayukta police found accumulation of illegal assets and sought sanction for prosecution on 13 May 2024, but no action was taken despite evidence of corruption and disproportionate assets as disclosed in the Lokayukta Police charge sheet.
“Your inaction in the case, despite overwhelming evidence, is in stark contrast to your readiness to prosecute Mr. Siddaramaiah in the absence of a formal request from the investigating agency,” the petition stated. “The people of Karnataka will not tolerate a Governor who fails to uphold the principles of justice and democracy.”
The Congress demanded that the Governor should perform his duties only as per the mandate of the Constitution of India, without any political bias or influence.
