Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will appear before the Lokayukta police in Mysuru today for an inquiry into the alleged irregularities in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam.
The Mysuru Lokayukta officially started an investigation into the matter following a September 27 court order to lodge an FIR. The Lokayukta was ordered to investigate allegations of illegalities in the allotment of 14 sites worth ₹56 crore to Siddaramaiah’s wife, Parvathi.
It is alleged that MUDA illegally allotted these locations to the Chief Minister’s wife at a prime location in Mysuru city.
Recently, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches at more than six locations in Mangalore, Bengaluru, Mandya and Mysuru in connection with the MUDA-related money laundering case. The move came within a week after the agency summoned six employees of the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) for questioning.
The employees were summoned for questioning on various dates in connection with the high-profile alleged scam, which will take place at the ED’s zonal office in Bengaluru. The ED has also filed a money laundering case against Siddaramaiah and others.
The case prompted a First Information Report (FIR) from the state’s Lokayukta on the MUDA, putting the Karnataka Chief Minister in a difficult situation.
The FIR names Siddaramaiah, his wife BM Parvathi, his brother-in-law Mallikarjuna Swamy and Devaraju, from whom Swamy bought land that was later given to Parvathi. The ED has applied provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in its case, which allows the agency to summon individuals for questioning and possibly seize assets during the investigation.
Siddaramaiah has consistently denied the allegations and claimed he is facing political persecution. He has stated that he will not resign despite continued demands from the BJP to vacate his position as government leader.
As the allegations came to light, the BJP has accused the Congress of supporting “corrupt” leaders and demanded Siddaramaiah’s resignation. However, Siddaramaiah has rejected all demands for his resignation.
On Tuesday, the Karnataka High Court issued notices to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and others on a petition seeking transfer of probe into the MUDA land allotment case registered against the Chief Minister, his wife and others.
In a petition filed by Snehamayi Krishna, the court also issued notices to the central and state governments, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Lokayukta police. The High Court directed the Lokayukta police to submit details of the investigation conducted till November 25, while further hearings on the petition were postponed till November 26.
PART
Published on November 6, 2024