BENGALURU: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has concluded its 33-hour raid on the residence of former Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) Commissioner Natesh, who is now in ED custody regarding an ongoing investigation into the MUDA land scam. Natesh was taken from his residence on 10th Cross in Malleswaram to the ED’s Shantinagar office in his own red Kia vehicle. The raid, which started Monday morning, involved ED officers seizing four bags of documents after an extensive review of property records and assets.
In a related probe, the ED also conducted a 35-hour raid on the residence of Rakesh Papanna, a former Apta Zilla Panchayat member and close associate of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The raid took place at his home in Hinkal, Mysore, where a large cache of documents was seized. ED officials have intensified their inquiries in the case, which they say involves a complex network of influential figures and transactions, raising concerns about extensive misuse of public assets.
In the Mandya district, raids were also conducted in Kurubara Street, Harohalli, at the residence of one of Jayaram’s relatives. Jayaram, a prominent builder, is being investigated for his involvement in the MUDA case. Key documents were reportedly found that could tie him to irregularities, prompting the ED to call him for further questioning.
Vakratunda Society and Dinesh Kumar’s alleged involvement
As the investigation widened, the ED also scrutinized Vakratunda Home Construction Cooperative Society, reportedly established after Dinesh Kumar took office as MUDA Commissioner in Mysore. Sources allege that two directors of this society are closely related to Kumar, prompting suspicions that the cooperative was created as a front to launder money. The ED’s records review raised speculation that Vakratunda Society may be at the core of a broader 50-50 land scam. Additionally, ED officers are looking into a number of suspicious transactions processed by the Kuvempunagar branch of Canara Bank and have questioned its branch and divisional managers to further understand the financial flow tied to these properties.
RTI worker alleged documents missing in MUDA
RTI activist Gangaraju, who has long advocated for an investigation into the MUDA case, revealed startling information to the media, stating that original project documents, including those related to Kesare village’s planning file from 1992, were missing from MUDA records. Gangaraju alleged that documents involving land transactions conducted under a 50:50 ratio were purposefully misplaced and that the wife of CM Siddaramaiah, Parvati, had allegedly submitted applications for land allotment that were never properly filed or maintained.
“The ED asked me for the missing documents and evidence regarding MUDA’s past irregularities. I have already complained about the lack of original documents in the Kesare Survey No. 464 case and believe these disappearances are part of a cover-up,” Gangaraju said. He further provided information about other alleged misconduct involving builder Jayaram and the broader network of unauthorized site allotments tied to MUDA officials.
The Role of Rakesh Papanna and Jayaram
In his complaint, Gangaraju named Rakesh Papanna as a major player in the MUDA scam, alleging that Papanna’s family has built a fortune valued between Rs 500-600 crore through illegal land deals dating back to his father’s involvement. This information, combined with Jayaram’s growing influence in land transactions across Mysore, has sparked concern over an extensive web of fraudulent activities and asset misappropriation linked to MUDA.
“The ED’s investigation is uncovering years of corruption and potential losses inflicted upon public authority, and I am committed to providing all available evidence to ensure justice,” Gangaraju concluded.
The ED continues to monitor the activities of more than 20 individuals suspected of involvement, with further raids expected as the agency deepens its investigation into the MUDA land scam and related misdeeds. This case has the potential to shake up MUDA and hold accountable the powerful individuals implicated in the scandal.
