Mysuru: A fresh complaint has been lodged against RTI activists Gangaraju and Snehamai Krishna, who were instrumental in exposing the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam. The Mysore Congress unit has accused the activists of making false allegations against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, claiming that their actions were part of a conspiracy to tarnish his reputation. The complaint has been submitted to Mysore City Police Commissioner Seema Latkar, requesting legal action against the activists.
Led by KPCC Spokesperson M. Lakshmana, Mysore City President R. Murthy, and Rural President Dr. B. J. Vijayakumar, the Congress representatives urged Commissioner Latkar to investigate and take necessary action against Gangaraju and Snehamai Krishna for their alleged defamation of the Chief Minister.
In response to the complaint, Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy released a media statement condemning the Congress’s actions against the RTI activists. He accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s family and the state government of harassing the activists who brought the MUDA allotment scam to light. Kumaraswamy criticized the Congress for suppressing opposition voices in the legislature and targeting RTI activists engaged in fact-finding missions.
“The Congress has filed police complaints against RTI activists solely to protect the alleged wrongdoings of the Chief Minister’s family in the MUDA scam. This move is akin to a thief pointing fingers to distract from his own misdeeds,” Kumaraswamy remarked. He further stated that the truth cannot be stifled by using police force, and the documents in public hands clearly reveal the real culprits behind the MUDA scam.
Kumaraswamy also highlighted that the substitute estate beneficiaries implicitly admitted the allegations, suggesting that the Congress is playing politics of revenge against the RTI activists. He urged the state Congress party to abandon such futile efforts and face the truth with dignity, asserting that this approach would bring more honor to the Chief Minister.
The RTI activists had uncovered significant discrepancies and alleged corruption in the allotment of properties by the MUDA . The activists claimed that these irregularities pointed directly to the involvement of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s family. Their findings led to a public outcry and demands for accountability and transparency in the MUDA operations.
Despite the backlash from the Congress, the RTI activists have maintained their stance, insisting that their allegations are based on concrete evidence. They have vowed to continue their fight against corruption and expose any wrongdoing, regardless of the pressure and intimidation they face.
The unfolding drama has drawn significant attention from the public and political commentators, who see it as a test of the state government’s commitment to transparency and accountability. The upcoming legal proceedings and investigations will likely shed more light on the MUDA scam and the veracity of the allegations made by the RTI activists.
The case has not only sparked a political firestorm but also raised crucial questions about the protection of whistleblowers and the role of RTI activists in safeguarding democracy and ensuring governmental accountability.
