Karnataka: ED Raids MUDA Office In Land Allotment Case Involving CM Siddaramaiah

A team of 12 officials from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted a search operation at the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) office on Friday (18 October).

The search operation was carried out in connection with an ongoing investigation into the money laundering case against Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Siddaramaiah and his family faces state and central-level charges over allegations they profited from an exchange of land allotments overseen by the city body.

The ED officials met MUDA Commissioner Raghunandan and other officials, including those from the Special Land Acquisition Office, NDTV reported.

The central probe agency is likely to seize certain documents.

The ED will reportedly investigate all officials involved in the alleged scam.

ED officials - escorted by the central paramilitary force - also conducted searches at other locations across Mysuru.

However, these locations are reportedly not directly linked to the Chief Minister or his family.

The case centres around allegations that Siddaramaiah’s wife, BN Parvathi, received 14 plots of land in an upscale Mysuru locality in exchange for 3.16 acres of land, reportedly for infrastructure projects.

Anti-corruption activists claim the exchange cost the state Rs 45 crore.

Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot granted permission for Siddaramaiah’s prosecution, but this decision was swiftly contested in the High Court.

However, the Chief Minister lost the legal challenge, and within a day, charges were framed in a trial court, prompting the ED to press ahead with its investigation.

Although the Chief Minister's wife has returned the 14 plots, MUDA officials said that this gesture would not alter, or halt, the investigation against her, her husband, or her brother.

Facing mounting calls for resignation from the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal Secular (JDS), Siddaramaiah has firmly denied the allegations.

“I will fight. I am not afraid of anything,” he said.

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