In a significant political move, the Karnataka Cabinet has decided to withdraw its earlier blanket consent for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to operate within the state. This decision comes in the wake of demands for a probe into Chief Minister Siddaramaiah regarding the alleged Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) land scam.
The Cabinet’s action, framed as a response to concerns over potential misuse of the CBI, aims to prevent the agency from initiating investigations without specific state permission. Karnataka Minister HK Patil criticized the CBI’s previous conduct and emphasized that the withdrawal is not solely tied to the MUDA case, which involves irregularities in site allotments to Siddaramaiah’s wife.
Under the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, the CBI previously required general consent from the state for investigations; without it, the agency must now seek specific permission for each case.
