Sun Sep 29 08:36:09 UTC 2024: ## Karnataka Govt. Bars CBI Entry, Citing Bias and Abuse of Power
**Bangalore, India** – The Karnataka government has revoked its general consent for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to operate within the state, citing concerns over the agency’s alleged bias and misuse of power. This decision comes just hours after a special court ordered a Lokayukta police investigation into Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s alleged role in the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) land allotment scam.
The move has sparked speculation that the government is attempting to shield Siddaramaiah, who faces accusations of favoritism in allocating land to his associates. Opposition parties have been demanding a CBI probe into the MUDA scam, highlighting allegations of widespread corruption in the allocation of residential plots.
Karnataka Law Minister H.K. Patil defended the government’s decision, stating that the state has withdrawn its consent due to apprehensions about the CBI being manipulated by the central government. He claimed that the CBI has failed to file chargesheets in several cases referred to them, leaving many investigations pending. He also expressed frustration over the CBI’s alleged refusal to investigate certain cases submitted by the state.
The Minister further clarified that the decision to bar the CBI is not related to the MUDA scam and is meant to prevent the agency from being used for political purposes.
The Karnataka government has also instructed the state’s Chief Secretary not to disclose any information to the Governor without prior approval from the government.
This latest development is likely to further escalate tensions between the ruling Congress government in Karnataka and the BJP-led central government. With the opposition accusing the state government of trying to protect Siddaramaiah, the controversy is set to dominate political discourse in the coming days.
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