Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah made a hasty move. A day after the Karnataka High Court upheld the Governor’s order to investigate him in the alleged land scam of Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA), a Cabinet meeting was called and the notification giving permission to the CBI was cancelled. CBI had received ‘General Consent’ for open investigation in Karnataka, which means it could investigate any case. But by withdrawing this permission, Siddaramaiah played a trick, the purpose of which is said to be to save himself from the CBI investigation.
Actually, Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot had given permission for investigation against Siddaramaiah, against which he had gone to the High Court. The High Court also said that the petitioner i.e. he has benefited, hence investigation should be conducted. Then Siddaramaiah was shocked that this matter could go to CBI. Therefore, he hurriedly withdrew the CBI approval and meanwhile a special court handed over the investigation of the case to the Lokayukta. Lokayukta police also registered an FIR. But will this bring relief to Siddaramaiah? This seems unlikely as the matter has reached the High Court. A petition for CBI investigation into this matter has been filed in the High Court. If the High Court approves the CBI investigation, then it will not be useful for the state government to withdraw the permission.