Karnataka High Court schedules hearing on plea for CBI probe into MUDA scam
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday scheduled its next hearing on a plea seeking the transfer of the investigation into the alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Currently, the case is being investigated by the Lokayukta Police.
Senior advocate KG Raghavan, representing the petitioner, argued for an independent CBI probe, emphasizing that the investigation should remain free from the influence of the state government and the Chief Minister.
The case also implicates Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who is facing allegations of illegal allotment of 14 prime sites in Mysuru city by MUDA to his wife.
Siddaramaiah has challenged the Governor’s sanction for prosecution, which was upheld by the High Court in a previous judgment. The court found no procedural irregularities in Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot’s approval of the investigation.
On Thursday, the High Court deferred the Chief Minister’s plea to challenge the single-bench order to January 20. Siddaramaiah's petition questions the legality of the Governor’s sanction under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act and prosecution under Section 218 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
Based on the Lokayukta's First Information Report (FIR), the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has initiated a money laundering investigation in addition to the Lokayukta investigation. Siddaramaiah has blamed the accusations as politically driven and denied any misconduct in the face of growing legal pressure and BJP claims. Despite the ongoing probes, he has rejected calls to resign.
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Over 270 flights delayed, 10 cancelled at Delhi airport
New Delhi (PTI): At least 10 flights were cancelled and more than 270 flights were delayed at the Delhi airport due to fog and low visibility conditions on Tuesday.
An official said 6 arrivals and 4 departures have been cancelled for the day.
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Over 270 flights have been delayed and the average delay time for departures is 29 minutes, as per information available on flight tracking website Flightradar24.com.
"Visibility at the airport is improving; however, flight departures for certain destinations may experience delay," Delhi airport operator DIAL said in a post on X.
The Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in the national capital handles around 1,300 flight movements daily.
