The Karnataka High Court is deliberating on transferring the controversial Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment case to an independent agency. The case implicates Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and others in irregularities concerning compensatory site allocations. Petitioners doubt the Lokayukta police’s capacity to investigate due to potential bias, seeking a CBI inquiry instead.
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has reserved its order on whether to transfer the controversial Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment case to an independent agency like the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The case involves Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, his wife Parvathi B M, and his brother-in-law Mallikarjuna Swamy, among others, who have been accused of irregularities in the allotment of compensatory sites. The petitioners, who are activists, have expressed doubts over the ability of the state’s Lokayukta police to conduct a fair investigation, citing the Chief Minister’s influence as a concern.
The petitioners have requested the High Court to hand over the case to the CBI or another independent agency. They argue that the Lokayukta Police, being part of the state’s ombudsman system, cannot effectively investigate their superior, who is the Chief Minister.
During the hearing, Justice M Nagaprasanna referred to previous orders issued by the court and stated,
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“The subject petition was preferred invoking the jurisdiction of this court under section 226 and 482 of the CrPC reference of the matter to the independent agency like that of the CBI or otherwise as the prayer is in the alternative.”
The bench further noted that the filing of the Lokayukta report, initially directed to be completed by January 28, 2025, has been deferred until the pronouncement of the judgment.
“In the light of the matter being heard at length, I deem it appropriate to extend the same till the pronouncement of the judgment. Judgment reserved,”
the bench observed.
The controversy revolves around the alleged illegal allotment of compensatory sites by MUDA to Parvathi Siddaramaiah. The sites, located in an upmarket area of Mysuru, were allegedly allocated in exchange for 3.16 acres of her land, which MUDA had acquired to develop a residential layout.
Under MUDA’s 50:50 ratio scheme, 50% of developed land is allotted to landowners as compensation for undeveloped land acquired by the authority. However, it has been alleged that Parvathi did not have legal ownership of the 3.16 acres in question, located at survey number 464 of Kasare village, Kasaba hobli in Mysuru taluk.
Both the Lokayukta Police and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) are investigating the matter simultaneously. The allegations include misuse of power, irregularities in land allotment, and the allocation of plots with significantly higher market value compared to the original land’s worth.
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