The ongoing tussle between the Karnataka state government and the Raj Bhavan has intensified after the preliminary approval of an investigation into Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in connection with the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) case.
In a fresh development, Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot has written to the Chief Secretary, seeking detailed information regarding the status of applications submitted by the Lokayukta body for sanction to prosecute government officials. This move has added complexity to the strained relations between the state’s executive and the Raj Bhavan.
The Governor’s request for information comes when no permission has been granted to prosecute cases against leaders of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). However, the state government, led by the Congress party, has expressed strong objections to the swift approval of an investigation into the MUDA case involving the sitting CM. Congress leaders have also raised concerns over the Governor’s lack of action in several cases involving former leaders of the BJP and JD (S).
Congress leaders, including those aligned with CM Siddaramaiah, have pointed out that even though investigative agencies have sought permission to prosecute leaders such as former Chief Ministers HD Kumaraswamy (JD (S)), and former BJP ministers like Janardhana Reddy, Shashikala Jolle, and Murugesh Nirani, there has been no progress on these requests from the Governor’s office.
The CM’s legal team also raised the issue in the Karnataka High Court during the hearing on the MUDA case, underscoring what they perceive as a politically motivated investigation. The Congress leaders have argued that the Governor’s office should have acted on all pending cases impartially rather than expediting only the investigation into the current Chief Minister.
In a counter move, Governor Gehlot has now sought a detailed status report on all cases submitted by the Lokayukta to the state government, seeking sanction for prosecution against various officials. In a letter addressed to Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh, dated September 5, the Governor requested information on decisions made by the state government about cases forwarded by the Lokayukta. The Governor’s letter specifically asked for details on the recommendations made by the Lokayukta, the dates on which those cases were submitted, and the final decisions taken by the Cabinet regarding the sanction or rejection of prosecution requests.
The letter further emphasised the need for transparency, requesting detailed explanations for any rejections made by the Cabinet. The Governor expressed concern that in some instances, the state government had declined to grant prosecution sanctions, while in other cases, sanctions had been approved. The Governor’s office appears to be investigating whether these decisions were made by established legal protocols or if there was political interference.
The Chief Secretary has since directed the Personnel and Administrative Reforms Department to gather and provide the necessary information to the Governor’s office within one week. On September 10, the Personnel Department instructed the Assistant Chief Secretaries and Secretaries of all state departments to comply with the Governor’s request for information regarding prosecution sanctions related to Lokayukta cases. The requested information must cover the period from May 20, 2023, to the present date, and must be submitted in the prescribed format outlined by the Governor.
The move by the Governor has stirred up political tensions in Karnataka, with Congress leaders accusing the Raj Bhavan of acting in a biased manner. They argue that while cases involving Congress leaders, including the CM, have been fast-tracked, those involving former BJP and JD (S) leaders have seen little progress.
The letter from Raj Bhavan irked state government as it was an open secret that the officers close to ministers had been pending since many years. However, officials who did not have any political background were given immediate permission to be prosecuted. The Congress government filed a suit in state high court against the sanction of prosecution against CM Siddaramaiah, which is pending for judgment.
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