MYSURU: Former MUDA (Mysuru Urban Development Authority) Commissioner B Natesh is at the center of a growing corruption scandal involving the illegal allocation of government land, including sites granted to close associates of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s family. The controversy stems from the allotment of 14 prime sites, with allegations of favouritism, misuse of power, and violation of regulations. As the Lokayukta investigation continues, pressure is mounting on Natesh to clarify his actions during his tenure as MUDA Commissioner.
Natesh’s Evasive response to media
Today, Natesh attended a hearing at the Mysore Lokayukta office, where he was questioned about the controversial land allotment. Speaking to the media afterwards, Natesh was tight-lipped, offering no definitive answers regarding the allocation of the 14 sites. When asked about the basis for the allotments, he refused to comment, stating, “I will not say anything in front of you regarding that matter. Let the investigation be completed, and then the truth will come out.”
Natesh further expressed that he had already provided all necessary supplementary information to the authorities to aid the investigation. When questioned about whether the land allocations were in accordance with the MUDA Act, Natesh remained vague, saying, “One rule says this, another rule says that. Let the investigation proceed, and the facts will be revealed in court. It will be clear whether it was within the scope of the law or not.” His reluctance to engage with the press has fueled public skepticism and led many to question the transparency of the land allotment process under his leadership.
Allegations of Improper Land Allocations to Siddaramaiah’s Family
The controversy took a new turn when former MUDA president Dhruvakumar spoke to the media, revealing that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah never directly asked for land or sites from MUDA, nor did his wife, Parvati, submit any request in writing. Dhruvakumar explained, “When we met the Chief Minister personally and asked him to allocate land instead of sites, he expressed his opposition. We decided to give them a site instead of land. However, later, my term ended, and someone else took over.”
This revelation challenges the narrative that the land allocation was politically motivated or requested by the Chief Minister himself. However, the decision to allocate 14 sites to Siddaramaiah’s family, despite the Chief Minister’s expressed opposition, has raised questions about the role of Natesh and other MUDA officials in facilitating these allotments. Another source confirmed that Dhruva Kumar a loyalist of congress party in a desperate attempt to save CM Siddaramaiah from corruption allegations made statements which far from truth.
RTI activist Gangaraju demanded arrest of Natesh
The situation has escalated with accusations of corruption and fraud leveled against Natesh. RTI activist Gangaraju has called for Natesh’s immediate arrest, alleging that he was involved in the illegal sale of government land to individuals like Mallikarjun Swamy and Parvati. “Natesh should be arrested by the Lokayukta for his role in selling land without proper documentation,” Gangaraju stated. “MUDA has lost thousands of crores due to the misinformation and corrupt practices under his leadership.”
Gangaraju’s comments reflect widespread public outrage over the handling of public resources by officials at MUDA. Allegations of land mismanagement, illegal sale, and the manipulation of government rules have drawn calls for accountability, with many questioning whether Natesh’s actions were part of a broader pattern of corruption within MUDA.
Concerns Over MUDA’s Decline Under Natesh’s tenure
Adding to the controversy, former MUDA officer Nataraj, who is currently fighting corruption of MUDA, also spoke out against Natesh. “Natesh is directly responsible for the poor state of MUDA and the irregularities that have occurred,” Nataraj said. “The government must take immediate action and fire such officials. The delay in the Lokayukta investigation only serves to cover up the truth.”
The criticism suggests that Natesh’s tenure at MUDA was marked by mismanagement, and his alleged involvement in the land scandal is seen as a symptom of larger systemic issues within the urban development body. There are growing concerns that MUDA’s reputation has been severely tarnished, and calls for greater transparency and accountability in the future have intensified.
The Ongoing Investigation
The Lokayukta investigation into the land allotment scandal is ongoing, and public interest in the case is high. The focus is on determining whether the 14 sites allocated were granted according to legal procedures, and whether any irregularities or unlawful acts occurred during the process. With multiple officials, including Natesh, being investigated for their roles, the case has become a flashpoint for broader concerns about corruption and governance in Karnataka’s urban development sector.
Despite the mounting allegations, congress leaders argue that the situation is being blown out of proportion and that the investigations should be allowed to proceed without prejudging the outcome. However, the lack of transparency, combined with conflicting statements from key figures involved in the case, has only fueled public suspicion.
As the Lokayukta continues its investigation, Natesh remains at the center of the storm, and the outcome of the inquiry will be crucial in determining whether further legal actions will be taken against him and other MUDA officials. The case has also raised broader questions about the integrity of land allocations in Karnataka and the role of political influence in shaping key decisions related to urban development.
With both political and public interest at a peak, all eyes are on the Lokayukta’s next steps. Will Natesh face criminal charges for his alleged role in the land allocation scandal? How will the investigation impact the political landscape in Mysore and Karnataka? These questions remain unanswered, but the calls for justice and accountability are growing louder by the day.
