 |
|
The Karnataka High Court has directed the Lokayukta police to submit a status report on its investigations into the alleged Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam, which involves land allotted to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's wife, B M Parvathi. This directive comes after an RTI activist, Snehamayi Krishna, filed a plea seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the 2021 MUDA land allotment of 14 housing sites to Parvathi as compensation for the acquisition of a 3.16-acre plot. The court, however, has opted for the Lokayukta police to handle the investigation for now.
The case revolves around a 50:50 land exchange scheme implemented during the BJP regime from 2019 to 2023. The scheme facilitated the exchange of a 3.16-acre plot outside Mysuru, gifted to Parvathi by her brother in 2010, for 14 housing sites in a prime locality in Mysuru. The alleged illegal land exchange is suspected to have caused a loss of Rs 56 crore to the state, according to activists Snehamayi Krishna, T J Abraham, and Pradeep Kumar. They argue that Siddaramaiah, despite his denials, was likely instrumental in the transaction, leading to his family's substantial financial gain.
Siddaramaiah has consistently maintained his innocence, claiming that the allegations are politically motivated. The Congress, his party, has also backed him, citing the lack of evidence against him. However, the opposition BJP has seized the opportunity to intensify its protests, demanding Siddaramaiah's resignation on grounds of ethical impropriety. The legal battle continues, with Siddaramaiah's appeal against the decision to allow a probe into the alleged MUDA scam currently pending in the high court.
Parvathi, facing mounting scrutiny, has attempted to distance herself from the controversy by writing to MUDA requesting the cancellation of the sale deeds for the allocated housing sites. MUDA has complied with her request, effectively rescinding the deal. However, the legal investigations are ongoing, with the Lokayukta police now tasked with uncovering the truth behind the alleged MUDA scam and determining if any wrongdoing occurred.