The Karnataka High Court has adjourned the hearing of two petitions related to the ongoing Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) land scam, with further proceedings scheduled for December 5 and December 10. The case involves a series of allegations surrounding the illegal acquisition of plots, including those by B M Parvati, the wife of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
The petitions filed by landowner Devaraju and complainant Snehamayi Krishna are key to the case. Devaraju has challenged the High Court’s earlier directive to the Lokayukta to submit a progress report on the Muda scam investigation. He also questioned the High Court’s decision to allow the investigation, which the Governor approved. The court will now hear both petitions on December 10.
In a separate development, advocate K G Raghavan, representing complainant Snehamayi Krishna, requested that the investigation documents be examined before the case hearing. However, Dushyant Dave, representing the opposing party, objected to this move, describing it as “unfair” and unnecessary. The bench, however, made it clear that the petition would not be heard today and decided to fix the hearing for 2:30 PM on December 10, stating that there was no immediate need to review the documents.
Background of the Case
The Muda scam has gained significant attention, primarily due to the involvement of B M Parvati, the wife of the current Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Allegations suggest that Parvati illegally acquired plots of land worth crores of rupees from Muda. The Special Court of People’s Representatives entrusted the case investigation to the Lokayukta Police. Still, concerns about potential political influence on the investigation due to Siddaramaiah’s position led petitioners to seek a transfer of the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The High Court had previously issued notices to the Central and State Governments on this request, and the matter was adjourned for further hearings. The petitioners argue that the Lokayukta and police authorities may not conduct an impartial investigation under the influence of the Chief Minister’s office. The High Court will hear the writ petition seeking the transfer of the investigation to the CBI on December 10.
Details of the Land Allegations
The controversy revolves around a land acquisition involving 3.16 acres of land in Survey No. 464 in Kesare village, Mysuru, originally in Parvati’s name. The land, intended for the construction of the Devanur Layout, was reportedly donated to Parvati by her brother. The total area in question is 1,48,104 square feet. However, in 2021, Muda allotted 38,284 square feet of land, or 14 plots, in the Vijayanagar Layout in Mysuru to Parvati, raising questions about the legality and fairness of the allocation.
There are serious allegations that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah may have influenced the decision, allowing his wife to benefit from this land acquisition. The case has sparked widespread controversy, with accusations of favoritism and corruption involving high-ranking political figures.
Enforcement Directorate Investigation
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has also investigated the Muda land scam. ED officials have already questioned Mallikarjuna Swamy, a close aide of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who is reportedly the third accused. The involvement of the ED suggests that the scale of the scam may be broader than initially thought, and the agency is probing potential financial irregularities and money laundering related to illegal land transactions.
The investigation is ongoing, with both the Lokayukta Police and the Enforcement Directorate pursuing leads in the case. The upcoming court hearings will determine the future course of the investigation and whether the case will be transferred to the CBI for further scrutiny.
On December 10, the High Court will hear petitions filed by landowner Devaraju, challenging the Lokayukta investigation order and the Governor’s permission. The High Court will also hear the writ petition by complainant Snehamayi Krishna, seeking the transfer of the case to the CBI. The Lokayukta is expected to submit an investigation progress report by this date.
The Enforcement Directorate continues to probe the financial aspects of the scam, with the expected further questioning of involved parties.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the Muda land scam remains a focal point of political and legal debate, with accusations of corruption and political influence at the heart of the controversy. The involvement of key state officials and the demand for a CBI inquiry signal the seriousness of the allegations and the potential for further revelations.
Another 46,000 crore scam in BBMP
NR Ramesh, head of the Anti-Corruption Forum, has exposed a staggering Rs 46,300 crore corruption scandal within the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) in Karnataka.
On November 26, Ramesh filed a complaint with the Enforcement Directorate (ED), accusing BBMP Commissioner Tushar Girinath, administrative officer Umashankar, and 18 senior IAS officers of involvement in one of India’s largest municipal corruption scandals.
Ramesh’s letter to the ED alleges that funds allocated for road development projects, such as white-topping, drainage work, and asphalt construction, were misused between 2013 and 2024.
Ramesh claims that more than 75 per cent of the Rs 46,300 crore allocated over the 9.5-year period was embezzled.
To support his allegations, Ramesh has submitted 4,113 documents to the ED, detailing the alleged misuse of public funds and inconsistencies in grant allocation and project implementation. Ramesh has urged the ED to investigate the matter under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and other relevant laws to bring the culprits to justice.
The complaint names several high-ranking officials, including BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath and other IAS officers, accusing them of fraud, corruption, forgery, and abuse of power.
The Anti-Corruption Forum has called on the ED to register cases under relevant sections and conduct a comprehensive investigation.
The alleged scam centres around funds allocated for essential infrastructure projects in Bengaluru, including road repairs and drainage systems.
Despite significant funding, Ramesh alleges that the work completed does not align with the funds disbursed, indicating systemic corruption.
