Mysuru: In a shocking turn of events, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has found himself entangled in a massive corruption scandal, with the Lokayukta and Enforcement Directorate (ED) launching separate investigations against him. The latest salvo in the ongoing Muda scam case has been fired by social activist Snehamayi Krishna, who has filed a complaint with the Mysore Lokayukta office accusing Siddaramaiah of having benami property.
The fresh complaint, filed in connection with the Muda scam, alleges that CM Siddaramaiah’s family, particularly his wife Parvati and son Yathindra, have engaged in shady land deals using Siddaramaiah’s influence. Snehamayi Krishna has presented a series of documents that suggest a deliberate attempt to conceal the true ownership of a 1-acre land, which was acquired by Siddaramaiah’s uncle, B.M. Mallikarjuna Swamy, in 1983.
‘1 acre of land in Survey No. 113/4 of Alanahalli village in Mysore taluk was purchased by Siddaramaiah’s uncle B.M. Mallikarjuna Swamy on December 15, 1983, from Hanumegowda, Hanumayya, Kariappa and Kempamma of Alanahalli. In 1996, the same land was acquired by MUDA and a final notification was issued. However, in 2006, an ‘ conversion ’ order was issued for this land in the name of Mallikarjuna Swamy,’ the complaint explains.
‘He registered the same land as a donation deed to his sister, Siddaramaiah’s wife B.M. Parvati on October 20, 2010. On November 11, 2010, Parvati donated it to her son Yathindra. Yathindra sold the land to someone else on March 23, 2011. However, it is still in the name of Mallikarjuna Swamy in the RTC and continues to be considered agricultural land.
‘Even though the final notification was issued in 1996, why was this land left out of land acquisition, who influenced this? Why was this matter hidden while talking about the donation letter of the land in Kesare village? An investigation should be conducted into how much land Mallikarjuna Swamy has purchased so far and transferred it to Parvati’s name,’ he said in the complaint.
Snehamayi Krishna, the driving force behind the corruption complaints against CM Siddaramaiah, expressed his skepticism about the nature of the donation deed. “If Parvati was to be gifted the land, it should have been done through a division deed or a single donation deed,” she said, hinting at a deliberate attempt to conceal the true ownership.
The Muda scam, which involves large-scale irregularities in land acquisition and sale, has already embroiled Siddaramaiah in a separate inquiry by the Lokayukta. The ED has also joined the investigation, which has raised concerns about the Chief Minister’s involvement.
The fresh complaint filed by Snehamayi Krishna has put further pressure on CM Siddaramaiah, who has been grappling with public perception of corruption and maladministration during his tenure. As the case unfolds, the people of Karnataka will be watching with bated breath to see how the state’s leader navigates this crisis.
Timeline of Events:
* December 15, 1983: B.M. Mallikarjuna Swamy purchases 1-acre land from a group of villagers in Alanahalli village, Mysore taluk.
* 1996: Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA issues a final notification for the land.
* 2006: Conversion order was issued for the land in the name of Mallikarjuna Swamy.
* October 20, 2010: Mallikarjuna Swamy registers a donation deed to Parvathis name, claiming the land was “gifted” to her.
* November 11, 2010: Parvati donates the land to Yathindra.
* March 23, 2011: Yathindra sells the land to a third party.
* Present: Mysore Lokayukta launches an investigation into the allegations of benami property against Siddaramaiah.
The outcome of this investigation, which is likely to have far-reaching implications for CM Siddaramaiah and the state government, remains uncertain.
