The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted a series of raids on the residences of former Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) commissioners, escalating the investigation into the alleged MUDA scam. Among those targeted was the house of Rakesh Papanna, a close associate of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, embroiled in the scandal. These raids have cast a fresh spotlight on the alleged irregularities involving influential figures connected to the current government.
The ED officers raided the house of former Zilla Panchayat member Rakesh Papanna at Hinkal village in Mysuru. Papanna, known for his close ties with CM Siddaramaiah, is accused of illegally obtaining over 20 MUDA sites under the controversial 50-50 allocation rule. This rule, allegedly exploited to favour certain individuals, is central to the ongoing investigation.
The name of Rakesh Papanna has surfaced repeatedly in the context of the MUDA 50-50 scam. Allegations suggest he manipulated the system to acquire over 20 plots, leveraging his connections. Further adding to the controversy, the Papanna family was also involved in a land deal with Siddaramaiah in the second phase of the Vijayanagara project. It is reported that CM Siddaramaiah had purchased 10 acres from the Papanna family, which was later sold, leading to legal complications currently pending in the Supreme Court.
Former MUDA Commissioners Under Scrutiny
Before focusing on Papanna, ED officials launched raids on the residences of former MUDA commissioners, intensifying their probe into the wider network of corruption. The residence of builder N. Manjunath in J.P. Nagar, Bengaluru, was raided, followed by searches at the homes of ex-MUDA commissioners Natesh and G.T. Dinesh Kumar.
In an early morning raid, ED officials targeted G.T. Dinesh Kumar’s apartment at Deepika Royal on Banasawadi Road, Hebbal. Reports indicate that Dinesh Kumar fled the scene as the raid was underway. The sudden disappearance has raised suspicions, and efforts to locate him are ongoing. Sources claim that Kumar and other MUDA officials had been bribed during the controversial 50-50 site allotment, and ED is closely scrutinizing all financial transactions linked to them.
The investigation has also extended to prominent builder N. Manjunath, who allegedly played a central role in facilitating bribes to officials. Manjunath, associated with Karthik Developers, had built a layout in Mysuru named Karthik Barangay and is suspected of bribing MUDA officials to secure favourable site allotments. ED officials seized documents during the raid and scrutinized bank accounts and other assets linked to Manjunath and his family.
Additionally, the investigation took a new turn after activist Snehamayi Krishna filed a separate complaint against Manjunath, accusing him of receiving money under the guise of a settlement deed. The complaint was substantiated by a video showing Shivanna, an assistant of Manjunath, counting ₹25 lakhs in cash. Krishna’s complaint has added pressure on the ED to broaden their investigation, particularly into the financial transactions and illegal dealings of builders linked to MUDA officials.
The raids have been ongoing for over six hours, with ED teams meticulously inspecting documents, seizing phones, and questioning individuals at each location. During the raid at Manjunath’s residence, officials confiscated phones from two women workers present at the house and examined various financial documents.
According to sources, Manjunath was present at home during the raid. The officials arrived discreetly, entering the compound in unmarked vehicles to avoid drawing attention. Since then, extensive searches have been conducted to unearth any evidence that could support the allegations of bribery and corruption tied to the MUDA 50-50 scheme.
The fresh wave of raids has once again brought to light concerns over corruption within the government, with opposition leaders demanding accountability from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The fact that his close associates are being investigated has raised questions about the integrity of the administration. Critics have accused the government of fostering a culture of corruption and have called for a more transparent investigation, with some even suggesting that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) be brought in to ensure a fair probe.
CM Siddaramaiah, who has often portrayed himself as a champion of clean governance, now faces mounting pressure to address these allegations. With the MUDA scam investigation widening and involving close aides and former officials, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to these serious allegations and whether further political ramifications will unfold.
The MUDA 50-50 scheme, initially meant to allocate sites to underprivileged segments, has instead become a symbol of corruption, with insiders allegedly exploiting the rule to distribute plots among themselves. The ED’s actions today suggest that more individuals linked to the scam could soon be under investigation as the authorities intensify their efforts to uncover the full extent of the alleged corruption network.
