MYSURU: A team of 20 ED officials on October 18 raided the MUDA (Mysore Urban Development Authority) office and launched an investigation to verify records. Through this the MUDA scam has once again grabbed headlines, stirring the political landscape of Karnataka. While the Lokayukta investigation into the case continues at a sluggish pace, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah maintains a firm stance, insisting on his innocence and expressing confidence that he will emerge victorious in the legal battle. However, the recent actions of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) have intensified the situation, casting a new spotlight on the alleged irregularities within MUDA.
On September 30, the ED registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) related to the MUDA case. Acting on this, a team of 20 officers conducted a raid on the MUDA office in Mysore on October 18. The officials meticulously searched every corner of the office, examining documents to uncover the source of alleged illegalities. The main entrance of the office was locked during the raid, ensuring no interruptions as officers inspected the records.
Former MUDA Commissioner Dr KV Rajendra had earlier reported financial irregularities amounting to over ₹1,000 crore in MUDA’s dealings. This claim was supported by a letter he had sent to the former deputy Commissioner and the Secretary of the Urban Development Department. The same letter, presented again in 2023, became a focal point during the ED’s questioning.
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While the raid was underway at the MUDA office, two additional officers inspected records at the Mysore Taluk Tehsildar office. The ED’s actions not only targeted MUDA officials but also extended to individuals like Devaraj, the fourth accused in the alleged scam. Devaraj reportedly acquired land from an individual named Jawara alias Ninga, which he then sold to Mallikarjuna Swamy brother in law of CM Siddaramaiah . A team of four ED officers visited Devaraj’s residence in Kengeri in Bengaluru and questioned him, although reports suggest that he has been uncooperative during the investigation.
The ED’s inquiry has raised several questions, particularly around 14 land sites, including issues of notification, denotification, land acquisition, compensation, allotment letters, and the alleged involvement of the Chief Minister’s wife. The MUDA Commissioner was presented with 41 questions, ranging from procedural discrepancies to personal associations. These questions are said to be in the possession of the ED.
During the raid, the ED sought documents relating to Parvathy Siddaramaiah, the Chief Minister’s wife. When MUDA officials offered copies, the ED insisted on original documents dating from 2004 to 2023. One of the most contentious issues was a letter allegedly written by Parvathy Siddaramaiah, which had been altered using whitener. ED officials demanded to know, “What is the original copy of this? Where is the original copy? How did Whitener get to the original copy? What are the words behind Whitener?” MUDA Commissioner Raghunandan, who assumed office just two months ago, responded by stating that the alterations were made before his tenure and that he had no prior knowledge of the changes.
The ongoing investigation has reignited political debates across the state, with Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy adding further fuel to the fire. Speaking in Mandya, Kumaraswamy alleged that the MUDA scam is deeper than initially believed. He claimed that in 1986, a notification was issued for the development of 434 acres in Hinkal, Mysore, and hinted that a clearer picture would emerge if everything is properly examined.
Addressing the media, Kumaraswamy commented, “The people will know the truth. An application has been placed in the hands of Sakamma, and the denotification process was completed in 20 days. The Chief Ministers kin bought it, His statements have raised further questions about the involvement of the Chief Minister and his family in the controversial dealings.
The issue gained traction earlier this year when the acquisition of 15 MUDA sites by Parvathy Siddaramaiah led to significant backlash. Following a court order, an investigation was launched against the Chief Minister, marking the first FIR in Siddaramaiah’s 40-year political career. With the ED now formally involved, the CM’s political future appears uncertain, and there are growing calls for his resignation to facilitate a transparent investigation. In an effort to defuse the situation, Siddaramaiah returned the sites to MUDA on behalf of his wife, but political tension remains high.
As political adversaries seize the opportunity, Kumaraswamy’s recent remarks suggest that the controversy is far from over. He reiterated his concerns, stating, “The fact that the ED officials have raided MUDA is a welcome step, but the original MUDA files are still missing. They are not only in MUDA’s office but also in the offices of Minister Bairati Suresh and the Chief Minister. The CM should resign and cooperate with the investigation.”
With the ED digging deeper, the MUDA case continues to dominate the state’s political discourse. As the investigation unfolds, the people of Karnataka await clarity on the alleged irregularities that have plagued MUDA and disrupted the political sphere.
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