The Karnataka High Court has issued a notice to Chief Minister Siddaramiah, his wife Parvathy, and several others after an appeal was filed by Snehamayi Krishna. The appeal challenges an earlier order that had rejected the request to transfer the ongoing investigation by the Lokayukta police into the alleged Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The division bench, led by Chief Justice N V Anjaria and Justice K V Aravind, heard the matter and ordered,

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Previously, the single judge had dismissed the petition on February 7, stating clearly in the order,

"The Lokayukta/office of the Lokayukta does not suffer from questionable independence. The insulation of the institution from external influences is already recognized by the Apex Court and the Division Bench of this Court."

The single judge further observed that there was no indication of any irregularity or bias in the manner the Lokayukta had conducted its investigation. The order emphasized,

During the hearing, the High Court also raised a crucial procedural question regarding the maintainability of the appeal against a single judge order that came through a petition under Article 226 of the Constitution. The bench asked,

Senior Advocate K G Raghavan, representing the appellant Snehamayi Krishna, argued that the appeal was not about challenging a court's order but rather seeking a direction. He clarified before the court,

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The division bench signaled that the matter must undergo an independent hearing and stressed that the question of maintainability must be addressed first.

In addition, Senior Advocate Raghavan informed the court that another appeal, which challenges the single judge's decision upholding the sanction issued by the Governor to prosecute the respondents, is scheduled for hearing on April 28. He highlighted the point by stating,

"The question of referring the matter to CBI would not arise if this court allows the appeal challenging the single judge order upholding the Governor's sanction to prosecute."

For now, the High Court has fixed the matter for the next hearing on April 28, when related cases are also likely to be discussed.

The case is titled: Snehamayi Krishna AND Union of India & Others
Case Number: WA 333/2025