Karnataka CM Shivakumar defers call on prosecution nod for ex-minister Nagendra, Reddy
Synopsis
Karnataka CM D.K. Shivakumar has put the prosecution permission decision for ex-minister B. Nagendra and BJP MLA Janardhana Reddy on hold, saying the Governor-forwarded files are yet to be examined. With the Valmiki tribal welfare corporation case still politically live, his next move could reshape the ruling Congress's accountability narrative in the state.
Key Takeaways
Shivakumar said on 4 September that no decision has been taken on granting prosecution permission against former minister B.
Nagendra or BJP MLA Janardhana Reddy .
The files were forwarded to the Chief Minister by the Governor and are yet to be examined in detail.
Nagendra had earlier resigned voluntarily from the Karnataka Cabinet amid allegations in the Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation case.
Shivakumar asserted that accountability must apply to everyone, including himself: 'If I have committed any mistake...
I should also be punished.' The Chief Minister also said the government is open to alternative routes for the proposed Lalbagh tunnel project, and is not insisting on the current alignment.
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Friday, 4 September said his government had not yet reached a decision on granting prosecution permission against former minister B. Nagendra in the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation case, or against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Janardhana Reddy. Shivakumar told reporters in Bengaluru that the relevant files had been forwarded by the Governor and were pending his detailed examination.
What the Chief Minister Said
'As far as prosecution permission is concerned, I have not taken any decision yet. I have not even examined those files,' Shivakumar said, addressing the media. He stressed that before arriving at any conclusion, the government would assess the substance of the allegations, verify that due legal procedure had been followed, and evaluate all relevant aspects of the matter.
'All the files have come to me. I am not saying that they have not. The Governor has sent them to me. I have to examine them and look at them legally, to see whether there is any substance in the allegations, whether everything is legally proper, and whether the proper procedure has been followed,' he added.
Background: The Nagendra Case and His Resignation
Former minister B. Nagendra had stepped down from the Karnataka Cabinet earlier after facing allegations linked to the Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation case. Shivakumar confirmed on Friday that Nagendra's resignation had been voluntary. The prosecution permission files, along with those concerning BJP MLA Janardhana Reddy and others, have since been routed to the Chief Minister's office via the Governor.
This comes amid sustained political exchanges over the state government's handling of the tribal welfare corporation matter, which has drawn scrutiny from opposition parties and civil society groups alike.
Shivakumar on Accountability — Including His Own
Responding to claims that certain quarters were attempting to end his political career, Shivakumar was unequivocal. 'Some people are saying that they will finish me off politically. I am happy that I have succeeded, because I have done nothing wrong,' he said.
He went further, stating that accountability must apply universally. 'If I have committed any mistake, everyone should be punished. I should also be punished,' Shivakumar said — a notably direct assertion that drew attention amid the broader political climate in the state.
Lalbagh Tunnel Project: Government Open to Alternatives
Separately, the Chief Minister addressed concerns about a proposed tunnel project that has sparked fears over its potential impact on Lalbagh Botanical Garden in Bengaluru. Shivakumar said the government was not committed to routing the tunnel through Lalbagh and that alternative alignments were under active consideration. 'It is not that I want to trouble Lalbagh or that I insist that a tunnel should pass through only Lalbagh. We are considering other locations as well,' he said.
What Happens Next
The Chief Minister has indicated he will examine all prosecution-related files before making a formal decision — a process that could have significant political implications for both the ruling Indian National Congress (INC) in Karnataka and the opposition BJP. The timeline for a decision remains unspecified, and political pressure from multiple directions is likely to intensify as the files await review.
Point of View
Carries significant electoral weight, and has already claimed one ministerial scalp. The longer the prosecution permission decision is deferred, the more it feeds the opposition narrative that the Congress government in Karnataka is protecting its own. Shivakumar's pointed remark — that he too should be punished if found at fault — is rhetorically bold, but it will be tested by whether the files are acted upon or quietly shelved.
NationPress
4 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the prosecution permission case involving former minister B. Nagendra?
Former Karnataka minister B. Nagendra faces allegations in connection with the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation case, which involves alleged financial irregularities in a body meant to serve scheduled tribe communities. He resigned from the state Cabinet voluntarily after the allegations surfaced, and the Governor has since forwarded prosecution permission files to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar for a decision.
Why has CM Shivakumar not yet decided on prosecution permission?
Shivakumar said on 4 September that he has not yet examined the files sent by the Governor. He stated the government needs to assess the substance of the allegations, verify legal compliance, and ensure due procedure was followed before granting or denying prosecution permission.
Who else is named in the prosecution permission files?
Apart from former minister B. Nagendra, the files also relate to BJP MLA Janardhana Reddy and others, all forwarded to the Chief Minister by the Governor for a decision on prosecution sanction.
What did Shivakumar say about the Lalbagh tunnel project?
Shivakumar said the government is not insisting that the proposed tunnel must pass through Lalbagh Botanical Garden in Bengaluru, and that alternative routes are being actively considered. He invited stakeholders to suggest viable alternatives.
What are the political implications of the prosecution permission delay?
The delay keeps a politically sensitive case unresolved, with the ruling Congress facing pressure to demonstrate accountability in the tribal welfare matter. The opposition BJP is likely to use the deferral to argue the government is shielding the accused, while Shivakumar's own accountability remarks signal an attempt to pre-empt that narrative.
