Karnataka Lokayukta Clears Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in MUDA Land Allotment Case
Bengaluru: In a significant development, the Karnataka Lokayukta has exonerated Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, his wife B.M. Parvathi, and two others in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) land allotment case. The anti-corruption watchdog cited a lack of evidence to substantiate allegations of misconduct.
The controversy centered around the MUDA’s 50:50 land compensation scheme, under which landowners received 50% of developed plots in exchange for their undeveloped land acquired for residential projects. It was alleged that Parvathi, the Chief Minister’s wife, was improperly allotted 14 prime plots in Mysuru in exchange for 3.16 acres of land, leading to accusations of favouritism and financial impropriety.
Lokayukta’s Findings:
After a thorough investigation, the Lokayukta concluded that the case was civil in nature and did not warrant criminal proceedings. In a notice to the complainant, RTI activist Snehamayi Krishna, Superintendent of Police T.J. Udesh stated that the allegations were based on misconceptions or misunderstandings of the law. The notice further indicated that no evidence was found against Siddaramaiah, Parvathi, or the other accused, leading to the submission of a final report to the Karnataka High Court.
Ongoing Investigations:
While the Chief Minister and his family have been cleared, the Lokayukta noted that further investigation would continue into MUDA’s compensatory land allotments made between 2016 and 2024 under the 50:50 scheme. A supplementary report will be submitted to the court upon completion of this probe.
Political Reactions:
The exoneration has sparked varied political reactions. The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)) had previously demanded Siddaramaiah’s resignation over the allegations. Following the Lokayukta’s report, BJP leaders termed the investigation “scripted” and accused the Lokayukta of “match-fixing.” Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka questioned the brevity of the Chief Minister’s interrogation, comparing it to more prolonged investigations by other agencies.
In response, Siddaramaiah dismissed the allegations as politically motivated and reaffirmed his commitment to transparency and accountability. He emphasized that the land allotment to his wife occurred during the previous BJP administration and was a legitimate compensation process.
Next Steps:
Complainant Snehamayi Krishna has been given a week to challenge the Lokayukta’s findings before the designated magistrate. He expressed dissatisfaction with the report, alleging that the investigation was compromised and vowing to continue his legal battle.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is also conducting a separate probe into the matter under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, focusing on potential irregularities in MUDA’s land allotment processes.
This development marks a pivotal moment in Karnataka’s political landscape, with potential implications for the state’s governance and the public’s perception of its leaders.
Dhanya Reddy S
Alma Media School Student
