Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, April 9: A formal complaint accusing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of corruption in the renewal of mining contracts has been lodged with Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot.
The complaint, filed by social activist Ramamurthy Gowda, alleges that CM Siddaramaiah received kickbacks amounting to Rs 500 crore in connection with the renewal of mining licences for eight companies operating in the state.
Gowda, in his complaint, has urged Governor Gehlot to grant sanction for prosecution against Siddaramaiah under the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA). He also called for prosecution under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The issue has gained significant attention, with sources confirming that after hearing Gowda’s complaint for over three hours at the Raj Bhavan, Governor Gehlot forwarded the complaint along with supporting documents to legal experts for further examination. Additionally, the Governor has sought an opinion from the Solicitor General regarding the matter.
According to Gowda, CM Siddaramaiah, during his first tenure as chief minister in 2015, opted to renew mining licences for eight companies instead of conducting auctions, as per the prescribed norms.
The complaint alleges that this decision led to a loss of approximately Rs 5,000 crore to the state exchequer, money that would have been generated as royalty had the auctions been held.
The complainant further claims that the licences were renewed for companies already under investigation for their involvement in a mining scam. "CM Siddaramaiah’s actions have not only cost the state a huge amount of money but have also given a free pass to companies under investigation," Gowda alleged in his complaint.
The activist has now called on the Governor to grant sanction for prosecution under various provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA), including Sections 7, 9, 11, 12, and 15. Additionally, Gowda has requested prosecution under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, a law designed to address serious criminal offences.
This complaint follows Gowda’s earlier submission to the Karnataka Lokayukta, where he had also raised similar allegations. However, this time he has presented documentary evidence to support his claims, which he has submitted to the Governor.
The development comes at a time when CM Siddaramaiah is already facing legal challenges in another high-profile case. He is currently undergoing trial in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam. In that case, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has opposed the closure report filed by the Karnataka Lokayukta in court.
The Governor’s decision to forward the complaint to legal experts for their opinion signals the seriousness with which this issue is being treated. If the Governor sanctions prosecution, it could result in further legal complications for the Chief Minister, adding to the pressure already mounting due to the MUDA case.
The political ramifications of these developments are significant, especially as Siddaramaiah’s government is facing growing criticism from opposition parties, which have already labelled his administration as corrupt. The outcome of the legal proceedings in both cases is likely to have a considerable impact on the political landscape in Karnataka.