The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is set to take action against Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, with sources revealing that the agency has gathered incriminating evidence linking him to the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam. The investigation follows a complaint filed by petitioner Snehamayi Krishna, which led the ED to uncover evidence of hawala transactions and a money trail related to the scam.
Based on the reports from Udayavani, the ED has already shared its findings with the Karnataka Lokayukta, detailing the illegal allotment of plots to Siddaramaiah’s wife, Parvathy, as well as illegal land distributions benefiting the Chief Minister’s family and associates. According to sources, the ED’s investigation has uncovered illegal allotments of thousands of plots to those close to the CM.
The ED has questioned key individuals involved, including Siddaramaiah’s brother-in-law Mallikarjuna Swamy and landowner J. Devaraju, while RTI activist Gangaraju provided vital documents to aid the investigation.
Karnataka BJP President B. Y. Vijayendra commented that the evidence presented in the MUDA scam case clearly implicates Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, showing records of 14 plots allocated to his family, as well as thousands of plots looted under his watch. Based on these findings, the High Court upheld the Governor’s decision to grant prosecution permission, clearing the way for an open investigation.
Vijayendra pointed to reports from District Commissioners, stating that the MUDA scam had caused significant financial losses to the state, prompting the ED to initiate a detailed investigation. He also criticized the CM for continuing to maneuver politically despite mounting evidence, comparing him to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s defiance against legal scrutiny. Vijayendra expressed disappointment in the Congress High Command’s failure to take action against Siddaramaiah, reflecting the deteriorating state of Karnataka politics.
Based on the reports from Zee News, sources confirmed that the state government had cancelled 48 residential plots approved by the MUDA, likely as an attempt to avoid further ED scrutiny. Former MUDA Commissioner Dinesh Kumar is under investigation for these allotments, which led to significant losses for the state. The plots were allegedly sold for far below market value, with some worth crores being allocated for as little as Rs 4 to 5 lakh.
The controversial sites, situated in Dattagalli Layout, were distributed in December 2023 during a general meeting of the MUDA. Urban Development Secretary K. Latha is said to have issued the orders based on Siddaramaiah’s instructions.
The ED’s recent communication with the Karnataka Lokayukta department revealed that MUDA had illegally allotted 1,095 plots through benami transactions and other illegal means. The agency claims to have gathered evidence showing how Siddaramaiah’s assistant, S.G. Dinesh Kumar (also known as C.T. Kumar), wielded undue influence in the allocation process. The investigation exposed a systematic pattern of land allotments made in the names of dummy individuals, often linked to real estate businessmen and influential persons, rather than the supposed land losers.
Moreover, the ED’s probe uncovered significant violations of statutory guidelines, tampering with records, misuse of power, and forgery. Evidence suggests that the allotments, which totaled over 1,000 sites valued at over Rs 700 crore, were made with considerable irregularities, including the illegal allocation of land to Parvathy, Siddaramaiah’s wife.
The investigation reveals a deeply entrenched corruption network within the Congress government in Karnataka, with widespread manipulation of the system for personal and political gain. The ED’s efforts to hold those responsible accountable are expected to have far-reaching implications, further tarnishing the reputation of the CM and his political allies.
Earlier, Hindu Post reported this incident when the MUDA case first surfaced a few months ago. The Congress government initially transferred Dinesh Kumar and later suspended him after the MUDA scam came to light. However, he was subsequently appointed as the registrar (administration) of Haveri University. When the BJP raised concerns over the promotion of an accused officer, the Congress government placed him under suspension again. This case highlights the growing concerns over governance and the handling of alleged corruption within the state’s administration.
