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The MUDA had allotted plots to Parvathi under a 50:50 ratio scheme in lieu of 3.16 acres of her land, where it developed a residential layout. (PTI file photo)
The Special Court issued the order directing the Lokayukta police in Mysuru to initiate an investigation on the complaint filed by RTI activist Snehamayi Krishna
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday reiterated his readiness to face an investigation into the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment case, stating he is “not afraid” of the probe.
Reacting to the special court’s order for a Lokayukta police probe against him, the Chief Minister said, “Already I have said that I am ready to face an investigation. I am not afraid of a probe.” He added, “I am ready for a legal fight. I had said this yesterday and I am reiterating it today as well.”
Siddaramaiah further said that the matter has been referred to the Mysuru Lokayukta police by the court because the complaint was filed in Mysuru, where MUDA is also located.
Special Court Orders Probe
His comments come after a special court’s order on Wednesday initiated a Lokayukta police probe into the MUDA site allotment case.
The order, issued by Judge Santhosh Gajanan Bhat, came a day after the High Court upheld the sanction granted by Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot to conduct the investigation into allegations of illegalities in the allotment of 14 sites to his wife, B.M. Parvathi.
The special court, which handles criminal cases involving former and current MPs/MLAs, directed the Lokayukta police in Mysuru to initiate an investigation based on a complaint filed by RTI activist Snehamayi Krishna.
The court issued directions to take up investigation under section 156 (3) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) (that gives a magistrate the power to order an investigation into a cognisable offense.) It also directed the police to file the investigation report by December 24.
BJP Intensifies Calls For Siddaramaiah’s Resignation
Following the court’s order, several Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders intensified their demands for Siddaramaiah’s resignation on the social media platform X.
The party’s IT cell head, Amit Malviya, stated that authorising the Lokayukta to investigate him leaves “absolutely no room for him to continue as the Chief Minister.”
“The ‘conflict of interest’ is obvious. As CM, he has all the authority to prejudice the inquiry. He must resign,” Malviya stated.
After the order of Karnataka High Court and now a Special Court, authorising the Lokayukta to investigate Siddaramaiah and MUDA scam, there is absolutely no room for him to continue as the Chief Minister.The ‘conflict of interest’ is obvious. As CM, he has all the authority to… https://t.co/o5FX9g65kw
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) September 25, 2024
Calling Siddaramaiah a “corrupt CM,” BJP Karnataka suggested that he face the probe not as the Chief Minister, but as an ordinary citizen.
“Hello corrupt CM, you are not saying no to face investigation. But, don’t face the investigation as the chief minister of the country, face the investigation as an ordinary Siddaramaiah without power,” BJP Karnataka stated.
ಹಲೋ ಭ್ರಷ್ಟ ಸಿಎಂ ಅವರೇ, ನೀವು ತನಿಖೆ ಎದುರಿಸುವುದಕ್ಕೆ ಯಾರು ಬೇಡ ಎನ್ನುತ್ತಿಲ್ಲ. ಆದರೆ, ನಾಡಿನ ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿಯಾಗಿ ತನಿಖೆ ಎದುರಿಸಬೇಡಿ, ಅಧಿಕಾರವಿಲ್ಲದ ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯ ಸಿದ್ದರಾಮಯ್ಯ ಆಗಿ ತನಿಖೆ ಎದುರಿಸಿ.#sidduresign #MudaScam #CongressScam https://t.co/3r8yCNdood— BJP Karnataka (@BJP4Karnataka) September 25, 2024
What Is The MUDA Case?
In the MUDA site allotment case, it is alleged that compensatory sites were allotted to Siddaramaiah’s wife in a prime area of Mysuru, which has a higher property value than the location of her land that was “acquired” by MUDA.
The MUDA had allotted plots to Parvathi under a 50:50 scheme in exchange for 3.16 acres of her land, where it developed a residential layout.
Under this controversial scheme, MUDA allocated 50 per cent of the developed land to landowners in lieu of undeveloped land acquired for residential layouts. It is alleged that Parvathi did not have legal title over the 3.16 acres of land located at survey number 464 in Kasare village, Kasaba hobli of Mysuru taluk.
(With inputs from PTI)
