MYSURU: In a new development in the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam, complainant Snehamai Krishna has come forward with additional evidence accusing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his family of corruption. The accusations centre on irregularities involving stamp duty payments allegedly made on behalf of Siddaramaiah’s wife, Parvathi. According to Krishna, a tahsildar reportedly covered the stamp duty for a property deed associated with Parvathi, an unusual action suggesting political influence.
Krishna took to social media to share documents showing that the stamp duty payment was not made by Parvathi herself but was instead paid by the special tahsildar of MUDA, a government officer. “The property’s registration fees were handled by the deed registrants, while the tahsildar, N. Manjunath, took care of the stamp duty,” Krishna claims, highlighting what he alleges to be a clear misuse of power.
Yathindra Siddaramaiah defends
When questioned about the accusations, Siddaramaiah’s son,Dr Yathindra, responded by acknowledging that his mother was in ill health at the time and questioned the significance of the registration fees being covered. However, these statements have not quelled suspicions. Krishna has issued a public warning, stating that she will take the matter to court if justice is not served, urging authorities to move the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) due to concerns over potential bias.
Lokayukta Notice and a Call for Justice
Lokayukta, Karnataka’s anti-corruption watchdog, has already issued a notice to Siddaramaiah concerning the MUDA case. In response, Krishna has submitted detailed evidence which she believes is sufficient to substantiate her claims against the Chief Minister. Expressing skepticism towards the Lokayukta’s investigation, she insisted on a CBI investigation to ensure transparency and accountability.
Krishna claims that her accusations are rooted in a lengthy history of corruption within MUDA, alleging that various influential figures have manipulated the authority’s processes to benefit politically connected individuals. She has also reportedly handed over a list of 50 questions to Lokayukta officials, aimed at revealing potential conflicts of interest and misuses of power.
The MUDA Scam Uncovered by deputy commissioner KV Rajendra
The controversy surrounding MUDA reached public attention when Mysore deputy commissioner K.V. Rajendra brought potential irregularities in MUDA’s layout planning to light. For over a year, Rajendra had sought an explanation from the MUDA commissioner regarding suspicious inconsistencies in layout plans, writing approximately 15 letters, none of which received a response. As the irregularities in MUDA’s operations became evident, Rajendra’s position as deputy commissioner was abruptly terminated, a move widely seen as an attempt to shield those implicated in the alleged scandal.
This transfer of deputy commissioner has only amplified public suspicion, with many viewing it as an attempt by high-ranking officials to obstruct the investigation. Opposition argue that the state government’s handling of the MUDA scam investigation points to a deeper issue of political interference in regulatory authorities, undermining public trust and the rule of law.
Growing Pressure on the Government
As pressure mounts, many are calling for a thorough and independent investigation. The MUDA scam, with its complex web of alleged corruption involving both state officials and powerful political figures, has shaken public confidence in the state administration.
Krishna, who has consistently pushed for an inquiry, expressed his dissatisfaction that the matter is finally being scrutinized but still officials trying to save accused. “I have fought for this investigation from the very beginning, but despite court directions the officials trying to hush up case he said.
With each new piece of evidence brought forward, calls for accountability grow louder. The coming days will reveal whether the allegations have merit or if they will fade, as some similar cases have, into the background of Karnataka’s political landscape.
In the MUDA site allocation scandal recently Chief Minister Siddaramaiah faced questioning from Lokayukta police today. Meanwhile, social activist Snehamayi Krishna has filed a complaint to the Additional Director General of Lokayukta Police, urging a warning to Mysore Lokayukta SP Udesh for alleged negligence in handling the case.
In a formal complaint submitted , Snehamayi alleged lapses by SP Udesh, pointing out that essential documents should have been retained by him but were not. Additionally, he accused him of failing to investigate instances where records had been altered with correction fluid. She also stated that no investigation was conducted to question those responsible for these discrepancies.
Snehamayi noted that the primary accused (A1) should have been questioned first, but instead, questioning began with suspects A2, A3, and A4. She added that her application to transfer the case to the CBI had only just reached the court when CM Siddaramaiah scheduled his appearance for questioning between 10 am and 12 pm, and that the questioning was conducted and completed within that time frame.
Snehamayi further claimed that while he had provided details about points to be raised with the main accused, the questioning was concluded in just 1 hour and 45 minutes, raising doubts about the thoroughness of the investigation. In hir complaint, he also highlighted his request to obtain photos and videos related to Survey Number 464, which, , were not obtained.
Meanwhile the MUDA 50:50 site allocation scandal has taken a dramatic new turn, causing a major stir. Organiser has obtained the first list of beneficiaries under the alleged corrupt 50:50 scheme, which has raised serious questions about the misuse of power in the MUDA.
Until now, the names of these beneficiaries were not publicly known. This initial list, now made public, reveals that 240 individuals were allocated sites in what appears to be a hasty and highly questionable distribution. Some beneficiaries received an unusually high number of sites; for instance, one individual was allocated 26 sites under MUDA’s compensation scheme.
The list shows that Abdul Wajid received a total of 26 sites. Notably, the land owned by the Wajid family was acquired by the government in 1962, and despite the case being decades old, an application was filed with MUDA in December 2022. Within just two months, MUDA approved 26 sites for Wajid in February 2023. According to current regulations, the 50:50 scheme is not applicable to developments created before 2009, but this is a case from 1962, highlighting a potential violation of the rules.
Additionally, BJP MLA Srivatsa claimed that officials have admitted to missing files related to the site allocations. He called for a halt to approval for construction permits on these sites and suggested an injunction on further development. Karnataka’s Home Minister, Parameshwar, has confirmed that files missing and Lokayukta will investigate it.Meanwhile, former MUDA Commissioner Natesh is under ED scrutiny as part of the probe.
