BENGALURU: Legal troubles appear to be mounting on Karnataka Planning and Statistics Minister B Nagendra with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) reportedly seeking the governor’s sanction to prosecute him in the alleged multi-crore scam in the Maharshi Valmiki ST Development Corporation.
The CBI reportedly wrote to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot a week ago, furnishing details of the case and seeking his permission to interrogate and prosecute Nagendra.
The governor has sought legal and constitutional experts’ views and is expected to take a decision soon, according to sources.
In August 2024, the governor granted sanction to prosecute the then CM Siddaramaiah in the alleged MUDA sites scam and consequently, the high court upheld it.
The CBI’s action comes when BJP and JDS have launched a struggle for Nagendra’s resignation. The BJP-JDS alliance has disrupted proceedings in both the Houses over the issue and is also planning a padayatra from Jagalur to Ballari.
The ED has already investigated the scam and filed a chargesheet. If the governor grants sanction for prosecution, the case against Nagendra is likely to gain further momentum, putting the Congress government under pressure over his continuation in the Cabinet.
“For the court to take cognisance of an offence against a public servant, sanction under Section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act is mandatory. In this case, the CBI has investigated and filed a charge sheet against Nagendra. Perhaps, the CBI has sought sanction from the governor as he is the competent authority. Therefore, there is nothing surprising,” said CM DK Shivakumar’s political advisor AS Ponnanna.
Priyank Kharge unhappy
Expressing displeasure over the CBI seeking permission from the governor to prosecute Nagendra, Home Minister Priyank Kharge said the central agency should have approached the state government first.
“I do not know on what basis the CBI has sought permission to prosecute Minister Nagendra in connection with the alleged scam,” Priyank said.