A Bengaluru special court has accepted the Karnataka Lokayukta Police’s closure report, absolving Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of allegations made by BJP leader NR Ramesh. The accusation claimed Siddaramaiah accepted a ₹1.3 crore bribe in 2015 for appointing L Vivekananda as a steward and committee member of the Bangalore Turf Club (BTC).

Judge Santosh Gajanan Bhat dismissed the case on January 24, citing insufficient evidence to reject the report. The Lokayukta Police’s preliminary inquiry found no quid pro quo or illegal gratification as alleged.

Siddaramaiah maintained that the ₹1.3 crore was a loan declared in his 2023 election affidavit, not a bribe. The Court noted no evidence to prove illegal gratification under the Prevention of Corruption Act, stating that mere receipt of funds without evidence of corrupt intent does not constitute an offence.

The Court explained that for a Section 7 offence under the Act, there must be a clear bribe offer from the giver, accepted by the public servant. Finding no such evidence, the case was closed.

This ruling comes as a significant relief for Siddaramaiah, with the closure report officially accepted on September 12, 2024.