Bengaluru: The Mysore Lokayukta’s clean chit to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and other accused in the MUDA scam has sparked outrage among opposition leaders. The Lokayukta, in its report, stated that the case does not warrant an investigation, and that no wrongdoing was found. This report has been dismissed by opposition leaders, who have accused the Congress and Siddaramaiah of orchestrating a cover-up.
Speaking to the media, opposition leader and former minister R Ashok condemned the Lokayukta’s findings, calling them a blatant attempt to shield the guilty. “The Lokayukta’s report is nothing but a wash with Nirma powder. It is not a clean chit. This is a well-planned cover-up,” Ashok stated. He added that the truth could only be uncovered through a CBI investigation and that the Lokayukta’s report was pre-determined.
He suggested that this was part of a larger conspiracy to cover up the scam, claiming that Siddaramaiah’s family is being portrayed as innocent despite the ongoing controversy. “The police officer involved in this case needs a promotion and a transfer, and that’s why the whole matter was brushed under the carpet,” he said.
The Lokayukta’s findings that the MUDA scam involved the illegal allotment of sites but that Siddaramaiah himself was not personally involved has drawn scorn from the opposition. “The report claims that A1, A2, A3 are not guilty, and that the layout was illegal, but they don’t know anything about it,” Ashok mocked. “Siddaramaiah did not make a phone call or send a letter regarding the scam. Do they think we’re all fools?”
Council opposition leader Narayana Swamy demands CBI probe
Echoing Ashok’s sentiments, Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, also criticized the report. He demanded a CBI investigation into the irregularities, stating, “If the Muda scam is handed over to the CBI, the truth will come out. But the Congress doesn’t trust the CBI. What does it say about their previous record with investigations during their time in power at the Centre? Have they misused the CBI?” Narayanaswamy vowed to continue the fight against the alleged irregularities, saying that the opposition would decide on legal actions within the party.
Addressing the series of developments, Ashok pointed out the contradiction in Siddaramaiah’s statements. “The CM claimed he had nothing to do with the scam, and yet 14 sites were handed back to individuals involved. Now the Lokayukta has given them a clean chit. Who has been given justice here?” he questioned. “This is exactly what we expected; there was no surprise. The truth will never come out unless the matter is investigated by the CBI.”
Ashok further questioned the involvement of expensive lawyers to defend Siddaramaiah, asking why the chief minister didn’t choose to have a local lawyer represent him. Ashok criticized the Congress for hiring top lawyers to defend Siddaramaiah and his family, suggesting that the funds spent on lawyers could have been used to settle the allegations. “How much did those 14 sites cost? The money used to hire those expensive lawyers could have been better spent elsewhere. If Siddaramaiah had any integrity, he should have resigned as soon as the allegations surfaced,” he said angrily. “There may be officials in Mysore who are also involved, and this cover-up only serves to protect them.”
The opposition’ believe the Lokayukta’s report is a farce designed to exonerate those in power, and they are determined to continue their battle for justice in the Muda scam.
Allegations by Complainant Snehamayi Krishna in Muda Scam Investigation
As the investigation into the Muda land scam, which involves serious allegations against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, has come to an end, with the Mysore Lokayukta preparing to submit the report to the court. However, the investigation report has given a clean chit to CM Siddaramaiah and other accused individuals, dismissing the charges. The Lokayukta has issued a notice to the complainant, Snehamayi krishna, stating that the case does not warrant further investigation due to a lack of substantial evidence. As a result, the Lokayukta has indicated that a B-report will be filed.
In the notice issued by the Lokayukta, the complainant was informed that the investigation into the Muda scam is deemed unworthy of further inquiry due to insufficient evidence. The Lokayukta further explained that the investigation had been dismissed as it lacked valid legal grounds or evidence of misconduct. It was noted that no significant findings had been made to support the claims, and as such, the case was not eligible for further scrutiny.
The notice also mentioned that if the complainant disagreed with the findings, they could file an objection before the Magistrate within a week. The report pointed out that the allegations against accused individuals from A1 to A4 were not substantiated due to a lack of evidence, and that the allegations about the 50:50 settlements provided by Muda from 2016 to 2024 were not proven.
Snehamayikrishna’s Anger Against the Lokayukta Report
Snehamayikrishna, the complainant in the Muda scam, has expressed his frustration and anger over the Lokayukta’s decision to give a clean chit to CM Siddaramaiah. He has voiced strong objections to the report, particularly the Lokayukta’s statement about submitting a B-report due to insufficient evidence. He criticized the move, stating that the investigation was incomplete and the final report should not have been submitted without concluding the inquiry. Krishna accused the Lokayukta police of preparing the B-report prematurely, even though the investigation was still ongoing.
He also raised concerns about the dismissal of the case despite the significant allegations surrounding the 50:50 land allotments, questioning why the investigation was cut short. Snehamayikrishna has stated that he intends to challenge the report in court, claiming that the decision was politically motivated and a cover-up. He also lashed out at the Lokayukta officers, accusing them of shameful conduct and calling for accountability.
Final Report to the Court
The Lokayukta’s final report will be submitted to the court, but the complainant’s dissatisfaction with the investigation remains strong. The allegations of irregularities in the land allotments, which have involved high-profile figures, are far from resolved, and Krishna is determined to continue fighting for justice. The public anger surrounding the issue is only set to escalate as the legal battle rages on.
Krishna accused the Lokayukta officials of political influence and protecting the accused. He stated, “The doubt I had about the Lokayukta officials has now turned out to be true. Under political pressure, they have decided to dismiss the case citing insufficient evidence. The people of Karnataka need to question this decision.” He also pointed out that the Lokayukta’s claim of insufficient evidence was questionable, given the documents provided by an IPS officer. He remarked, “If they say they can’t analyze the evidence provided by an IPS officer, that is a matter of shame.”
Krishna challenged CM Siddaramaiah directly, saying, “If the CM had any legal basis for granting 50:50 land allotments to his wife, he should present the notice. If Siddaramaiah proves that the allotment was legal, I am ready to go to jail.”
He continued to express his dissatisfaction, accusing the Lokayukta of attempting to protect the accused. He said, “The Lokayukta is issuing a final B-report, and they’ve mentioned that it can be questioned in court. But the fact that a report is being submitted before the investigation is complete is a clear indication that the Lokayukta is trying to shield the accused.”
Krishna reiterated his belief that submitting a final report without completing the investigation was a violation of the law. He pledged to challenge the report in court, emphasising that he would expose the corrupt officials behind the cover-up and reveal the truth to the people of the state.
This sharp response from Krishna continues to fuel the ongoing controversy, and the political implications of the clean chit given to CM Siddaramaiah are likely to dominate the public discourse in the coming days.
