Karnataka Cabinet ‘advises’ Governor to grant prosecution sanction against Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy, others

The advice to the Governor is “not vendetta politics” but “based on demands that action be taken against all such charges,” the minister said, responding to media queries on whether the move was in retaliation to the sanction granted against Siddaramaiah based on private complaints against him over the alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam.

The decision by the Governor against the CM on August 17 was later challenged in the High Court and the next date of hearing is scheduled on August 29.

The Cabinet has urged the Governor to “take a decision as soon as possible to ensure justice,” Patil said, noting that the Cabinet has a provision to aid and advise the Governor. In the last meeting held on August 1 without the CM, the Karnataka Council of Ministers had advised the Governor not to grant prosecution sanction against the CM, saying it could not be granted as the investigation is yet to be carried out in the case.

“According to us, his (Governor’s) discretion (in granting prosecution sanction) is limited. He is bound by our advice. I am sure that he will use his discretion very judiciously,” Patil said.

The sanction to prosecute Kumaraswamy was sought on November 21, 2023, by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Karnataka Lokayukta which had investigated cases of illegal mining during his tenure as CM in 2006.

For Jolle, the sanction was sought on December 9, 2021, in connection with a case where she allegedly sought bribes for a tender to supply eggs under the Mathrupoorna scheme during her tenure as the Women and Child Development Minister.

In the case of Reddy, it was for the alleged disproportionate assets acquired by him during his tenure as a minister in the BJP government between 2008 to 2013. The sanction was sought on May 13, 2024.

Nirani is accused of fraud while granting a contract to a private company to produce an animated video for the Global Investors’ Meet held in 2022. Sanction for prosecution was sought on February 26, 2024.