Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah confirmed he received notice from the Mysore Lokayukta concerning alleged irregularities in land allotments by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA). Investigations stem from a court directive and involve claims his wife received prime land illegally. The Enforcement Directorate is also probing money laundering linked to the case, increasing political pressure on Siddaramaiah amid his denial of any misconduct.
Karnataka: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah confirmed on Monday that he had received a notice from the Mysore Lokayukta regarding alleged irregularities linked to the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA). Addressing the media, he said,
“Yes, Mysore Lokayukta has issued a notice regarding MUDA. I will go to Mysore Lokayukta on November 6.”
The inquiry was initiated after a Mysuru court directed the Lokayukta to file a First Information Report (FIR) on September 27. The investigation focuses on allegations that MUDA allotted 14 prime-location sites in Mysuru, worth approximately Rs 56 crore, to Siddaramaiah’s wife, B.M. Parvathi, without following due process. The claims have brought intense scrutiny upon the Chief Minister, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
Following these developments, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) launched its own investigation into MUDA’s financial activities. On October 28, the ED conducted searches across various locations in Karnataka, including Mangalore, Bengaluru, Mandya, and Mysuru. The agency has reportedly summoned six MUDA employees for questioning as part of its money-laundering probe.
The ED registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after the FIR from the state Lokayukta. The FIR names Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, his wife B.M. Parvathi, his brother-in-law Mallikarjuna Swamy, and a person named Devaraju, who sold land to Swamy that was later transferred to Parvathi. The ED’s involvement could lead to asset seizures and further interrogations in relation to the case.
As the allegations gained momentum, the opposition BJP has increased pressure on Siddaramaiah to step down, accusing the Congress party of shielding “corrupt leaders.” In response, Siddaramaiah strongly denied any misconduct, dismissing the allegations as “political persecution” and vowing to complete his term. Despite calls from BJP leaders for his resignation, he has remained firm, with Congress leaders expressing unwavering support for him.
The BJP has used this case to underscore what they claim is “corruption in Congress leadership,” while Siddaramaiah has emphasized that the accusations are politically motivated. He reaffirmed his position, stating that his actions as Chief Minister have been transparent and aligned with his commitment to public service.
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Siddaramaiah’s appearance before the Mysore Lokayukta on November 6 marks a crucial point in this high-stakes investigation. The Lokayukta’s inquiry could provide insights into the alleged preferential land allotment, while the ED’s probe might uncover additional details related to money laundering activities. The outcome of these inquiries will be pivotal, potentially impacting Karnataka’s political landscape as Siddaramaiah’s administration faces one of its most challenging episodes.
As the case unfolds, both the Lokayukta and the ED are expected to intensify their investigations, leaving Karnataka’s citizens, political observers, and stakeholders eager for a resolution. The Lokayukta’s findings will be closely watched, as will Siddaramaiah’s responses to these mounting allegations.
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