Bengaluru: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has moved significantly in the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allocation scam case involving Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The agency has provisionally attached 142 immovable properties valued at approximately Rs 300 crore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The ED confirmed this development through an official tweet, marking a major step in the investigation.
The ED is investigating allegations of corruption and irregularities in the allocation of MUDA sites, with accusations implicating CM Siddaramaiah and others. The seized properties are registered in the names of real estate developers and intermediaries, indicating a complex network of transactions. The case came to light after Gangaraju and Snehamayi Krishna, residents of Mysuru, filed a complaint alleging large-scale irregularities in site allocation.
Following the complaint, the ED launched a detailed investigation and identified assets worth Rs 300 crore believed to be connected to the scam. The properties have now been provisionally attached, pending further legal proceedings.
Enforcement Directorate’s Statement
The ED, in its official tweet, highlighted the progress made in the case. While specific details of the properties and their ownership were not disclosed, the agency emphasized its commitment to addressing financial irregularities and ensuring accountability.
This action marks a significant milestone in the ED’s efforts to unravel the web of corruption tied to the MUDA scam.
Snehamayi Krishna, one of the complainants, expressed satisfaction with the ED’s action, calling it a victory for justice. He shared a message on social media, attributing the progress in the case to collective efforts and public support.
Krishna, along with her co-complainant Gangaraju, has been at the forefront of exposing the scam. She filed a writ petition in the Karnataka High Court seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the allegations against CM Siddaramaiah.
High Court Proceedings
The High Court of Karnataka, Dharwad Bench, has been hearing the writ petition filed by the complainants. Justice M. Nagaprasanna is presiding over the case.
During the proceedings, senior Supreme Court advocate Maninder Singh, representing Krishna, argued that the complexity and scale of the scam necessitate a CBI investigation. Singh contended that the involvement of high-ranking officials, including the Chief Minister, underscores the need for an impartial and thorough probe.
In response, senior advocate Ravi Varma Kumar, representing CM Siddaramaiah, strongly objected to the demand for a CBI investigation. He maintained that the allegations against the Chief Minister were baseless and unrelated to the complainant’s arguments. Kumar also pointed out procedural lapses, arguing that the objections raised by the respondents had not been duly considered.
After hearing the arguments, the High Court adjourned the matter to January 27, directing the Lokayukta to submit a detailed report before the next hearing.
Implications for CM Siddaramaiah
The attachment of Rs 300 crore worth of properties by the ED has heightened the political stakes for CM Siddaramaiah. While the investigation is ongoing, the case has already drawn significant public and political attention.
The controversy poses a challenge to Siddaramaiah’s leadership, with opposition parties using the issue to question his credibility. The attachment of assets also indicates that the ED is treating the allegations seriously, further complicating the situation for the CM.
The ED’s attachment of properties is a preliminary action under the PMLA. The agency will now compile a detailed report and submit it to the concerned authorities. Meanwhile, the High Court will continue to deliberate on the complainant’s plea for a CBI probe. The case posted for hearing on January 27, will play a crucial role in shaping the course of the case. The findings could either reinforce the ED’s actions or provide grounds for the CM’s defense.
The ED’s seizure of assets in the MUDA scam marks a significant development in a case that has been under scrutiny for years. While the attachment of properties signals progress, the lack of resolution leaves the matter far from over.
As the High Court gears up to review the Lokayukta’s findings and the ED continues its investigation, all eyes remain on how this high-profile case unfolds. For CM Siddaramaiah, the outcome will be critical in shaping his political future and maintaining public trust.
ED Exposes MUDA Site Scam: Siddaramaiah’s Wife, Family, and Associates Embroiled
On December 4, 2024, in a significant revelation, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has implicated Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s wife, Parvati, and his family members in the high-profile Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allocation scam. According to an ED letter to the Lokayukta police, Parvati was allotted 14 sites illegally, contravening MUDA’s guidelines and involving forgery and tampering of evidence. This shocking development raises serious questions about the integrity of the Siddaramaiah-led government.
Investigations by the ED have revealed that 1,095 sites worth Rs 700 crore have been illicitly allocated to real estate traders and influential individuals. The ED has requested the Lokayukta police to take action against those involved, including the Chief Minister’s personal assistant, ST Dineshkumar alias CT Kumar. The ED’s probe has uncovered a web of corruption, including forgery of signatures and misuse of power to influence site allocations.
The ED’s letter highlights multiple egregious instances of irregularities in site allocation, involving the misuse of power by former MUDA officials, including the former Commissioner, GT Dinesh Kumar. The scam has been described as a “large-scale conspiracy” that involves the distribution of land and properties for money. The accused individuals allegedly laundered the proceeds of the illicit transactions, presenting it as genuine income through commission or profit.
CM Siddaramaiah, however, has sought to downplay the ED’s findings, questioning the timing of the letter and accusing the agency of being politically motivated. Despite acknowledging the ED’s authority to share information under Section 66(2) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the Chief Minister has attempted to deflect attention from the serious allegations levelled against him and his family.
Snehamayi Krishna, a social activist who had initially filed a complaint, has sought the transfer of the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The ED’s letter is likely to be cited as evidence in Krishna’s writ petition, which is scheduled to be heard in the High Court. This could provide a major setback for Siddaramaiah, whose administration has been accused of corruption and malfeasance.
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