Mysuru: The Lokayukta investigation into the alleged MUDA scam, involving Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s wife, Parvathi, continues to unfold. On Thursday, Former MUDA Commissioner PS Kantharaju appeared before Lokayukta SP S. P. Udesh for questioning regarding the controversial allocation of 14 replacement plots to Parvathi under the land compensation scheme.
Kantharaju Provides Testimony on MUDA Operations
Speaking to the media after his appearance, Kantharaju confirmed that the inquiry was focused on transactions that took place during his tenure as MUDA Commissioner in 2017. “I was called to provide information about the operations of MUDA during my term. The inquiry specifically pertains to the compensation issue related to the land Parvathi had received at that time,” he said.
Kantharaju explained that, during the 2017, MUDA meeting, a decision was made to grant undeveloped land as compensation to Parvathi. He mentioned that the Lokayukta had asked him for clarification on several issues related to the process, and he had provided the required information. “I have given information about the processes that took place during my tenure,” he added. “Since the investigation is ongoing, I cannot provide further details. As an officer, I also have certain limitations in such matters.”
Compensation Controversy
The controversy centers around the compensation given to BM Parvathi in exchange for land taken by MUDA for development purposes. In 2014, MUDA acquired land belonging to Parvathi’s family, and she was compensated with 38,284 square feet of residential plots in the prime Vijayanagar 3rd and 4th Stage layouts.
However, the compensation deal has raised eyebrows because the 14 plots granted to Parvathi are valued at over ₹8 crore, while the land that was taken was reportedly worth only around ₹3.5 crore based on the official guidance value. The disparity in value has raised questions about the fairness of the compensation and the possibility of undue influence or corruption in the decision-making process.
Ongoing Investigation
The Lokayukta Police are continuing their probe into the matter, with Kantharaju’s testimony forming part of a larger investigation into alleged corruption within MUDA. Several former MUDA officials, including GT Dinesh Kumar and DB Natesh, have also been questioned in connection with the case.
While Kantharaju has refrained from commenting in detail due to the ongoing investigation, sources suggest that 140 files related to the case have been seized for further review. The involvement of high-ranking officials in the alleged irregularities has intensified scrutiny, with political and legal repercussions expected as the investigation progresses.
Political Implications
The investigation has significant political implications, with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s name being directly linked to the controversy due to his wife’s involvement in the land compensation case. The opposition has seized on the issue, accusing the government of turning a blind eye to corruption within the MUDA and calling for a thorough investigation.
As the Lokayukta probe continues, it is expected that more details will emerge, particularly regarding the role of other senior officials in the alleged scam.
With former MUDA Commissioner PS Kantharaju providing his testimony and the ongoing investigation by the Lokayukta, the MUDA land scam remains a hot topic in Mysuru and beyond. The case has sparked political controversy, with widespread calls for accountability and transparency. As the inquiry progresses, more officials may be questioned, and the final outcome could have significant legal and political repercussions for those involved.
Investigation team took 140 files from MUDA
In response to complaints about legal violations in the 50:50 ratio of plots allocated in the city, a team of three IAS officers visited the MUDA office on Thursday to investigate the matter. The officers, acting on instructions from the Urban Development Department, questioned Commissioner G.T. Dinesh Kumar for over seven hours.
The officers, Venkatachalapathy, N.K. Thippeswamy, and S. Gopalakrishna, gathered information from the commissioner regarding the plot allocations. Sources say that as part of the investigation, they seized 140 files related to the case.”
MLA T.S. Srivatsa had raised concerns about the violation of laws in the allocation of plots under the 50:50 ratio and had written to the state government, urging action against the officials involved. He has called for strict measures to be taken against those responsible for the alleged irregularities.
Sources have also revealed that the investigating officials are reviewing the resolutions passed during a meeting on September 14, 2020, which dealt with the controversial 50:50 plot distribution. The ongoing investigation is expected to provide clarity on the alleged violations and lead to necessary actions against the involved parties.
Dr YAtindra confessed irregularities in 50;50 allocation
In a surprising confession, Yathindra Siddaramaiah, Member of the Legislative Council and son of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, has acknowledged that a scam took place in the 50:50 plot distribution by the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA). Speaking with reporters in Mysore on Friday , Siddaramaiah admitted that, on the surface, “it appears to be a scam,” but he insisted that the truth will emerge through the ongoing investigation.
While responding to questions, Siddaramaiah sharply criticized the opposition, claiming that their main goal is to undermine the Chief Minister’s authority and destabilize the government. “Their primary objective is to bring down the CM’s influence and come to power. They are making false accusations to destabilise the government and attack democracy itself,” he stated.
Addressing the allegations involving land belonging to the Chief Minister’s wife, Parvathi, he emphasized that the issue will be resolved in court. “The complainants remained silent for years and are only now filing a case. They authorised the transfer to Devraj, and if there was any mistake on his part, it is not our fault. Everything will be decided in court,” Siddaramaiah asserted.
Regarding the opposition’s demand for Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s resignation Yatindra strongly rejected the idea, saying, “A resignation must have valid reasons. Even if the CM has done nothing wrong, the opposition is attempting to use investigative agencies to force him to resign. We have received strong support from the people in the recent by-elections, and this has given us the moral strength to continue. We will not resign.”
On the subject of the MUDA 50:50 plot distribution controversy, he acknowledged, “Yes, there has been a scam. Everyone is talking about it, but the investigation will reveal the full truth.” He also denied accusations against his family members regarding illegal land deals, stating, “There is no truth in the allegations against my father, mother, or uncle. Even the investigative agencies know this. It is impossible to clean up MUDA entirely without proper action, which is why we have set up a commission to do so. We will clean up MUDA ourselves.”
He also addressed the wider context of the investigation, stating that the Income Tax Department is not investigating his father’s case, and that there is no truth in the accusations made by RTI activists. He accused opposition parties of attempting to demoralise them with baseless claims. “We don’t trust the Central Investigation Agencies, which is why we are conducting our own independent commission investigation into MUDA.”
