Mangaluru
Former Lokayukta Justice Santosh N Hegde stated that while Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is not legally obligated to resign, it may be prudent for him to do so in light of public perception, following the high court’s decision to investigate him in the MUDA site allotment case.
Justice Hegde remarked that the court’s observations suggest there is a prima facie case against the Chief Minister. He noted that although Siddaramaiah has the option to appeal the ruling, the likelihood of a favorable outcome seems low.
Additionally, Justice Hegde criticized the requirement for governmental sanction in cases involving public representatives, questioning its necessity when private citizens are not subject to the same rule. He pointed out that this provision originated during British rule and suggested it might be time to reassess its relevance in contemporary governance.
