BENGALURU: The Karnataka Lokayukta SIT has submitted a renewed request to governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot seeking permission to prosecute Union minister HD Kumaraswamy in the 2007 Sandur illegal mining case. Kumaraswamy was Karnataka CM at the time.
The submission, made on January 21, includes an English translation of all case documents and addresses Raj Bhavan’s previous request for clarity regarding notes and case sheets which were in Kannada. “The ball is now in the governor’s court,” a Lokayukta official said.
The case revolves around allegations that Kumaraswamy illegally approved a 550-acre mining lease to Sri Sai Venkateshwara Minerals in Sandur taluk, Ballari district, enabling large-scale illegal mining. The 2011 Karnataka Lokayukta report by Justice N Santhosh Hegde first flagged these alleged violations. Kumaraswamy had been under threat of arrest but secured bail in 2015.
The key allegation is that Kumaraswamy bypassed Minerals Concession Rules and ignored the chief secretary’s advice while approving the mining lease. However, Kumaraswamy has maintained his innocence, stating he never signed the disputed file.
The initial request for prosecution sanction was made to the governor on Nov 21, 2023. The governor, after seeking clarification on July 29, 2024, returned the file on Aug 29, 2024, instructing the Lokayukta to provide English translations of over 5,000 pages. With the translated documents now in place, SIT awaits Raj Bhavan’s decision while exploring additional legal options.
CM Siddaramaiah has raised concerns over delay in granting prosecution permission. He accused the governor of bias, stating that Raj Bhavan has been selective in approving sanction requests.
Deputy CM DK Shivakumar took a swipe at the opposition, challenging BJP’s opposition leader R Ashoka to comment on the renewed prosecution request. “I’m waiting with bated breath to listen to Ashoka speak on the recent Supreme Court decision against Kumaraswamy and also the sanction for prosecution sought once more from the governor against the Union minister. Justice should be the same, as he has spoken a lot against me and CM Siddaramaiah when we were under the scanner,” said Shivakumar.
