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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Allahabad HC expresses dissatisfaction over probe in 2009 custodial death case
Prayagraj (PTI): The Allahabad High Court has expressed dissatisfaction over the investigation and state's evidence in a 2009 custodial death case in Mainpuri district of Uttar Pradesh.
A bench of justices Atul Sreedharan and Siddhartha Nandan warned that if relevant videography and photographs are not placed before the court, the only option left to it will be to take assistance of CBI to recover the vital evidence.
The order was passed while hearing a PIL filed by Association for Advocacy and Legal Initiatives.
The court, in its order dated April 7, noted that crucial facts including video and photo evidence of the incident are missing.
The court observed, "In the event, by the next date of hearing, the videography and photographs relevant in this case are not placed before this court, the only other option left to this court is to take assistance of the central bureau of investigation (CBI) to recover vital evidence in this case which shall be considered on the next date of hearing."
"The chain of evidence is unclear casting doubt on the fairness of the investigation," the court added.
The court also directed the then sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Karmendra Singh of Mainpuri to file his affidavit strictly in terms of the order dated February 9, failing which, it said, it shall consider to take appropriate action against him.
The court asked Singh to give a precise answer on the fate of the videography recording which was done in his presence.
The court fixed May 5 as the next date of hearing in the matter.
