The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is intensifying its investigation into the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam, and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, along with his wife Parvathi and son Yatindra Siddaramaiah, is likely to be questioned in the case. ED officials have been conducting raids and searches across multiple locations, including the MUDA office in Mysore and the residence of the original landowner in Kengeri, Bengaluru, as part of their probe into alleged land irregularities.
The investigation gathered pace over the past few days, with ED officials swooping down at the MUDA office and other locations in Mysore. On Friday, they conducted a detailed inspection of the office and visited the residence of Devaraj, the original owner of the disputed land in the Kengeri suburb of Bengaluru. The searches reportedly lasted throughout the day, and the authorities seized several documents as part of the investigation.
Reports suggest that CM Siddaramaiah’s wife, Parvathi, will be summoned by the ED soon, and both she and the Chief Minister could face direct questioning in connection with the case. Adding to the political tension, CM Siddaramaiah’s son, Yatindra Siddaramaiah, is also under scrutiny due to allegations of his involvement in MUDA meetings concerning the allotment of replacement plots.
The investigation revolves around the denotification of land in Kesere village (Survey No. 464) on the outskirts of Mysore. According to sources, 3 acres and 16 guntas of land were denotified by MUDA, and CM Siddaramaiah’s wife Parvathi had reportedly written a letter seeking compensation for this. Following this, a MUDA meeting approved the allotment of 14 replacement plots to Parvathi Siddaramaiah, triggering allegations of misuse of political influence.
While neither CM Siddaramaiah nor his son Yatindra have signed any documents related to the allotment, the ED suspects that CM Siddaramaiah may have used his position to influence the decision-making process at MUDA. Former MLA Yatindra Siddaramaiah is also under the scanner for his alleged participation in a meeting that approved compensation plots for Parvathi under the 50-50 rule.
The investigation took a critical turn as ED officials seized several documents from the residence of Devaraj, believed to be the land’s original owner. The 12-hour operation in Mysore on October 18, led to the confiscation of land records, survey details, and other critical paperwork. The officials extensively questioned Devaraj, pressing him for details on the land’s ownership, transfer, and subsequent sale. Devaraj reportedly informed the ED that he acquired the land from a person named Ninga and presented key documents to support his claim.
ED officials have instructed Devaraj to appear for further questioning if required and to provide full cooperation, emphasising the seriousness of the investigation. They have also warned that non-compliance could lead to stringent action.
The ED is known for its meticulous approach to such investigations; this case is no exception. The national investigative agency has been conducting a thorough review of the records related to the alleged scam, and the questioning will likely be expanded to include other involved parties, including political figures. The scrutiny of the 14 plots allotted in Saraswati Nagar, Mysore, is particularly significant, with suspicions of irregularities in the compensation process for denotified land.
The investigative team has been examining multiple aspects of the case, from the origin of land ownership to the approval process for compensation plots. There are also allegations that CM Siddaramaiah’s son Yatindra was present in the MUDA meeting that facilitated the replacement plots, which may have involved other influential individuals.
As the probe moves forward, the ED is expected to adopt a step-by-step strategy, gradually questioning each individual involved and cross-verifying the information obtained from various sources. With CM Siddaramaiah and his family now under the scanner, the political implications of the investigation are bound to grow. The ED’s actions could intensify pressure on the state’s political landscape, raising questions about accountability and transparency in public office.
The agency’s focus on this high-profile case indicates that the investigation could uncover more complex links and possible misuse of power. The ongoing scrutiny and forthcoming interrogations suggest that the ED is prepared to expand its probe to include other potential beneficiaries of the alleged scam, possibly leading to further political and legal challenges for those involved.
The case’s outcome may not only affect the immediate political situation but could also serve as a significant precedent for how cases of alleged land scams are handled in the future.
