Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Jul 21: The Supreme Court dismissed a petition filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) challenging the Karnataka High Court’s decision to quash a notice issued to Parvathi Siddaramaiah, wife of Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah, in connection with the MUDA (Mysuru Urban Development Authority) site allocation case. The verdict comes as a significant relief not only to her but also to minister Bhyrathi Suresh, who was also under the ED’s scanner in the same matter.
A bench led by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud, while dismissing the ED’s appeal, strongly criticised the agency’s perceived political overreach. “Don’t compel us to open our mouths. If we do, we may have to make some harsh observations about the ED,” Chief Justice B R Gavai reportedly remarked, warning the agency to avoid turning constitutional institutions into tools of political vendetta. “Let political battles be fought before the electorate,” he stated.
The apex court found no fault in the Karnataka High Court’s earlier decision and thus refused to entertain the ED’s special leave petition.
Historic slap of justice on BJP-led Centre's face: Siddaramaiah
Following the judgement, chief minister Siddaramaiah issued a statement on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), calling the Supreme Court’s verdict a “historic slap of justice” on the face of the Central government. “I wholeheartedly welcome the verdict of Hon’ble Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran. This order has preserved the sanctity of the Constitution and upheld my lifelong belief in the rule of law,” Siddaramaiah stated.
He lashed out at the BJP and its allies, accusing them of misusing central agencies like the ED and CBI to settle political scores. “Unable to confront me politically, they created a false case against my wife and subjected us to severe mental harassment. I will never forget this.”
Referring to the Chief Justice’s oral observation, the CM said, “The CJI’s words—that voters should be used in political contests, not constitutional agencies—echo the sentiments of every law-abiding citizen.”
Siddaramaiah added that this verdict offers solace to all those who have suffered under the alleged misuse of agencies like IT, CBI, and ED over the last decade. He urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah to stop misusing central institutions and restore their autonomy.
Taking a direct jab at the state’s opposition, he demanded that BJP and JD(S) leaders, who he said have repeatedly levelled baseless allegations against him and his family, should publicly apologise if they have even a shred of decency left.