Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah - facing prosecution in connection with the alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) land scam case - underlined his confidence in the judicial system Tuesday, and said, "I believe in the law and the Constitution... The truth will finally win".
A bench of Justice M Nagaprasanna said the Governor "did apply his mind in abundance" and that the order (sanctioning prosecution) "does not suffer from non-application of mind..." "There is no fault in the Governor's actions. The facts narrated need investigation. The petition is dismissed," the court said.
Dismissed a plea
The court subsequently also dismissed a plea by senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for the Chief Minister, to stay its order for two weeks. The judge said he could not stay his own order.
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Legal proceedings against CM
The High Court's ruling means the lower court can now initiate legal proceedings against the Chief Minister, which will include filing a first information report and ramp up pressure on Siddaramaiah.
The High Court had earlier directed the trial court to take no action till its verdict.
Security ramped up
Ahead of the verdict, security had been ramped up around his residence and the police were told to be on high alert to avert "untoward incidents", underlining the political tension over the alleged land scam.
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Responding to the court's verdict, the Chief Minister underlined his confidence in the judicial system and said, "I believe in the law and the Constitution... The truth will finally win". (with Agency inputs)
