Mysuru (Karnataka) [India], November 6 (HBTV): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah arrived at the Lokayukta Police office in Mysuru on Wednesday for questioning regarding alleged irregularities in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam.

The Mysuru Lokayukta officially initiated an inquiry into the MUDA scam case following a court order on September 27 to file an FIR. The Lokayukta was directed to investigate allegations of illegal allotment of 14 sites worth Rs 56 crore to Siddaramaiah's wife, Parvathi. It is alleged that MUDA illegally allotted these sites to the Chief Minister's wife in a prime Mysuru location.

Recently, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches at more than half a dozen locations in Mangalore, Bengaluru, Mandya, and Mysuru in connection with the MUDA-linked money laundering case. This move came within a week of the agency summoning six employees associated with the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) for questioning. The employees were called for interrogation at the ED's zonal office in Bengaluru on different dates regarding the high-profile alleged scam.

The ED has also filed a money laundering case against Siddaramaiah and others. This case, prompted by a First Information Report (FIR) from the state Lokayukta concerning MUDA, places the Karnataka Chief Minister in a challenging situation. The FIR names Siddaramaiah, his wife B.M. Parvathi, his brother-in-law Mallikarjuna Swamy, and Devaraju, from whom Swamy bought land that was later gifted to Parvathi. The ED has applied provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in its case, giving the agency authority to summon individuals for questioning and potentially seize assets during the investigation.

Siddaramaiah has consistently denied the allegations, claiming political persecution. He has stated that he will not resign, despite ongoing demands from the BJP for him to step down as head of the government. Following the emergence of these allegations, the BJP accused the Congress of supporting "corrupt" leaders and called for Siddaramaiah's resignation; however, Siddaramaiah has dismissed all demands to resign.

On Tuesday, the Karnataka High Court issued notices to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and others on a petition seeking the transfer of the investigation into the MUDA land allotment case registered against the Chief Minister, his wife, and others. In the petition filed by Snehamayi Krishna, the court also issued notices to the Central and State governments, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and the Lokayukta police. The High Court directed the Lokayukta police to submit details of the probe conducted by November 25 while adjourning further hearings on the petition until November 26.   

(ANI)