Activist petitions Governor for prosecution of Siddaramaiah for mining lease ‘violation’; CM denies charge
The Hindu
Petition seeks prosecution sanction against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for alleged mining scam, refuted as political conspiracy.
In what might bring fresh trouble to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, a petition has been submitted to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot seeking sanction for prosecution for a decision taken in his earlier tenure to provide “deemed extension” for C category mines to eight mining companies in alleged violation of Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 2015.
The Chief Minister, however, refuting all charges, late on Wednesday said a ten-year-old case was being brought up “to create confusion for political gains”.
Seeking prosecution sanction, petitioner H. Ramamurthy has pointed out that XXI Additional City Civil and Sessions Judge and Principal Special Judge for CBI cases, Bengaluru, had on November 24, 2017, given him the liberty to approach the appropriate forum, and that he was filing a formal complaint with the Lokayukta now.
Meanwhile, appealing to people not to believe the “political conspiracy”, Mr. Siddaramaiah termed the development as “a baseless issue being fed to pollute the minds of people”. He also said certain “evil powers” have been attempting to mislead the Raj Bhavan since he took oath.
The petition dated April 1, 2025, sought sanction for prosecution under Sections 17A and 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Mr. Ramamurthy has alleged that the decision of “deemed extension” instead of auction process under the MMDR Act, 2015, resulted in a revenue loss of about ₹5,000 crore to the exchequer and a kickback of about ₹500 crore.
The petitioner said the approval came despite outstanding royalty and dues by the companies, and 108 applications seeking extension; and the government selectively approved only eight.
However, the Chief Minister dismissed the allegations stating that neither has there been any loss to the exchequer nor iron ore had been mined in the area.
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