Bengaluru: A special court in Bengaluru has allowed the Lokayukta police to continue their investigation into the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) land scam, which involves some of the biggest names in Karnataka, including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, his wife B.M. Parvathi, and Parvathi’s brother, Mallikarjunaswamy. He is alleged to have gifted the original land to Parvathi and played a role in unlawfully acquiring it.
Earlier, the Lokayukta police had submitted a preliminary 'B report' giving a clean chit to Siddaramaiah, his wife, and others due to lack of evidence. However, this closure report was challenged by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and activist Snehamayi Krishna, who said that crucial aspects of the case were overlooked. The ED claims its independent investigation uncovered evidence of irregularities and money laundering linked to the case.
In November 2024, Krishna also posted on Facebook, where he wrote:
“I’m giving yet another testimony to show how far your influence reaches! Those who get the land registered are supposed to pay the registration fees—so what if Manjunath paid the stamp fees? But take a look at the brief letter from Siddaramaiah’s wife, Mrs. Parvathi. It clearly shows that MUDA’s special tehsildar paid the stamp fees! Do you need more proof for my accusation? Will Siddaramaiah respond to the people of the state?”
Now, the court has stayed any decision on the Lokayukta's 'B report' until the final report is submitted, and it has allowed the ED to file protest petitions once the investigation is complete. The court has set May 7, 2025, as the deadline for the Lokayukta to file a conclusive final report in the case.
Looking at the MUDA scam, it involves allegations of irregularities in land allotments by the Mysore Urban Development Authority, linked, as mentioned above, to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The controversy centers on the alleged illegal transfer and compensation of land, particularly a land gifted to Siddaramaiah's wife, Parvathi, in 2010. The case alleges that MUDA created fake documents and manipulated land deals, resulting in a potential loss of INR 3,000 crore to INR 4,000 crore to the state.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)