MUDA Scam Case Against CM Siddaramaiah: Karnataka High Court on Wednesday (January 15) joined Chief Minister Siddaramaiah Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) The ban on Lokayukta investigation in the scam case was lifted. The court has directed the Lokayukta to continue its investigation. The High Court has also sought a report from the Lokayukta by January 27. The court asked the Lokayukta to submit all the documents collected so far in the court. The court ordered the Lokayukta to submit all existing records and files related to the case to the High Court by January 16.
The court has also directed the Anti-Corruption Authority to file the details of the investigation conducted till date. The court’s observation came during the hearing of a plea seeking direction to hand over the investigation into the alleged scam, which is currently being conducted by the Lokayukta police, to the CBI. This came after the High Court in December last year had postponed the filing of the Lokayukta report in the Muda scam case against Siddaramaiah and his family, including his wife and brother-in-law.
Justice M Nagaprasanna said, “The Lokayukta will record the details of the investigation conducted till date. The investigation will continue by the Lokayukta. The investigation will be monitored by the Inspector General of Police, Lokayukta. If any report is filed on the next date, it will be seen by the Lokayukta. The report will be filed a day before the next hearing date and the petition will be completed.
Justice Nagaprasanna said, “You (Lokayukta) resume your investigation and submit your final report or whatever you have done till then, on the next date of hearing. But till tomorrow, you can now from December 19, 2024 Submit all information collected up to.” The High Court has also directed all the parties to submit their objections by the next hearing date.
Hearing on CBI investigation on January 27
The High Court on Wednesday adjourned till January 27 the hearing on a plea seeking handing over the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Justice M Nagaprasanna, who was hearing activist Snehamoyi Krishna’s plea seeking a CBI probe into the MUDA plot allotment scam, directed the Lokayukta to submit the investigation report in the court by January 27.
Senior lawyers Ravi Varma Kumar, Abhishek Manu Singhvi appeared on behalf of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Maninder Singh appeared on behalf of the petitioner. During cross-examination, Singh alleged that original files were missing from MUDA. According to PTI, the court said, “We will settle every issue, but first the Lokayukta will have to give details of everything that is on record so far. Complete details of the investigation conducted so far will have to be given.” Finally, the court gave the Lokayukta 27 Instructed to present the investigation report in the court by January.
What is the allegation?
There are allegations that Siddaramaiah’s wife Parvathi was allotted a compensatory plot in Mysuru whose property value was higher than her land which was acquired by the MUDA. MUDA had allotted plots to Parvati under the 50:50 ratio scheme in exchange for her 3.16 acres of land.
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Karnataka Lokayukta police have registered a case against Siddaramaiah, Parvathi, their relative Mallikarjuna Swamy and others. Along with this, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has started investigation into the alleged scam on the complaint of Krishna. The Chief Minister has denied any wrongdoing in the alleged scam.