MYSURU: The Congress-led Karnataka government, specifically Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, is facing accusations of misusing power following the rapid return of 14 replacement plots sanctioned by the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) to his wife, Parvathy Siddaramaiah. The speed at which this process was executed has raised eyebrows, with critics pointing to potential bureaucratic influence and lapses.
The incident came to light when MUDA officials swiftly processed Parvathy’s request to return the plots. Within hours, all necessary procedures were completed, sparking widespread speculation that CM Siddaramaiah had influenced the officials involved. Many in bureaucratic circles have hinted that such efficiency is unusual and likely driven by political power.
Additionally, the Lokayukta police registered an FIR naming Siddaramaiah and his family members but conspicuously excluded any MUDA officials, who are also believed to be involved. This selective omission has fueled speculation that Siddaramaiah’s influence was exercised not just over MUDA but also over the Lokayukta investigation.
The lapses in following the rules by MUDA are glaring. Parvathy’s request to return the 14 plots was accepted and processed hastily, bypassing the standard procedures. Critics argue that this points to a clear abuse of power, as ordinary citizens face prolonged delays in similar cases.
Moreover, the Lokayukta’s FIR failed to include the names of district, taluk, and MUDA officials who were allegedly involved in allocating the plots illegally. These officials played a crucial role in executing the irregular land deals, yet none of their names appeared in the FIR. This omission has raised serious questions about the transparency and integrity of the investigation, with suggestions that pressure from Siddaramaiah may have influenced the process.
The case has also highlighted MUDA’s historical lapses in managing land acquisitions and allotments. In 1998, land adjacent to agricultural plots was recommended for de-notification, with officials allegedly involved in manipulating land use. Despite their involvement in the scandal, none of these officials have been named or implicated in the case.
The accusations extend further. Some argue that the MUDA engineers and commissioners, who were responsible for misusing unacquired land for site development after 2010, are also complicit. Senior officers have indicated that this land does not belong to MUDA, but it was developed using MUDA funds—another violation that has yet to be addressed.
Furthermore, there is mounting suspicion that the illegal distribution of plots by MUDA in unacquired land, and the subsequent allocation of prestigious sites to Parvathy instead of equivalent plots, caused significant financial losses to the exchequer. Despite this, the names of the involved officers remain absent from the FIR.
A senior official suggested that this could be an intentional move to protect Siddaramaiah. The fear is that implicating these officers could open doors to further investigation into Siddaramaiah’s involvement, as these officials may expose the full extent of political influence in the scandal.
The Lokayukta police have recently intensified their investigation, with Special Lokayukta SP Udesh conducting local inspections at the 14 sites in Vijayanagar and elsewhere. This comes after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) summoned complainant Snehamai Krishna to provide key documents related to the case.
Though Siddaramaiah’s wife has voluntarily returned the plots, this move is seen by the complainant and other critics as an attempt to mitigate the legal consequences rather than an admission of guilt. As the investigation deepens, the Congress government faces increasing pressure to account for these alleged lapses and misuse of power.
Today, a team led by Lokayukta SP T J Udesh visited the 14 sites, accompanied by complainant Krishna. T.J. Abraham, another complainant, made a statement on Friday declaring that a new twist in the case will be revealed on October 28.
Speaking to the media in Bengaluru on October 4, social activist TJ Abraham said, “I did not thank the CM’s wife for returning the plots, but I do thank them for returning the land to MUDA. The struggle does not end because the site was returned. We have records, and the case will not collapse just because of this.” Abraham announced that the case will take a new direction starting October 28.
He further clarified that his legal fight is not connected to any personal issues with Krishna. The High Court ruling on his complaint has set the stage for the next phase. “I sought a month’s time in the Court of People’s Representatives. The Lokayukta police belong to us. Why bring in the CBI? The documents, such as RTC and donation records, are written in Kannada, and Karnataka officials are capable of handling this. Why call the CBI when the Lokayukta is fully capable?” Abraham questioned, dismissing the need for a CBI investigation.
Meanwhile, opposition parties and other complainants, such as Snehamayi Krishna, are demanding an ED and CBI probe. In contrast, Abraham’s objection to the CBI and his endorsement of the Lokayukta’s investigation has surprised many.
As October 28 approaches, speculation is mounting about what new developments might unfold in the MUDA case. Many are now questioning whether the CM could face additional challenges.
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