Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], October 30 (ANI): Former Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) Commissioner Natesh has been taken into custody by officials of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the alleged illegal allotment of plots in the MUDA scam, according to official sources.

The ED raided Natesh's house on Tuesday and questioned him regarding the MUDA scam. Following the enquiry, Natesh was taken into custody and brought to the ED office in Shantinagar.

Natesh is accused of illegally allotting 928 plots in a 50:50 ratio during his tenure as MUDA Commissioner, including allotting plots to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's wife, Parvathi. As per sources, he told ED officials that he followed government orders and did not make any mistakes in the allotment process.

Earlier on Monday, the ED conducted searches at over half a dozen locations in Mangalore, Bengaluru, Mandya, and Mysuru in Karnataka, linked to MUDA's alleged money laundering case, sources said. The searches targeted the premises of a builder, among other private individuals.

The move comes within a week of the agency summoning six employees associated with MUDA for questioning. The employees were instructed to bring relevant documents and will be interrogated at the ED’s zonal office in Bengaluru on various dates. Investigators from the ED are focusing on gathering evidence and documents related to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and several associated officials.

The ED has invoked provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in this case, which allows the agency to summon individuals for questioning and potentially seize assets during the investigation.

Siddaramaiah has consistently denied the allegations, claiming that he is facing political persecution. Despite demands from the BJP for him to resign, Siddaramaiah, backed by his party leaders, has stated that he will not step down.   

(ANI)