Trouble mounts for CM Siddaramaiah as Karnataka High Court allows probe into MUDA case
The Karnataka High Court has allowed the probe into MUDA irregularities to continue, adding pressure on CM Siddaramaiah. The Lokayukta Police had earlier given him a clean chit, while the ED’s summons to his wife was quashed.
In a setback for Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the Karnataka High Court's divisional bench has permitted the probe agency to continue its investigation into alleged irregularities in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA).
The ruling intensifies political pressure on the CM, as the case involves allegations of land misallocation and financial mismanagement. The court's decision comes amid growing scrutiny of the state's urban development policies, with opposition leaders demanding accountability.
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Also read: Siddaramaiah’s wife Parvathi gets relief as Karnataka High Court quashes ED summons in MUDA case
The case, which has been under investigation since September 2024, revolves around allegations of irregularities in MUDA’s land allotment process. Initially, the Lokayukta Police had given a clean chit to Siddaramaiah, stating that there was no evidence against him, his wife, or others implicated in the case.
The clean chit followed an extensive 138-day probe led by Mysuru Lokayukta Superintendent of Police TJ Udesh. The final report was submitted to the Lokayukta headquarters in Bengaluru for further scrutiny, with investigators finding no direct involvement of the Karnataka CM or his family in any wrongdoing.
Despite this, the High Court’s decision allowing the investigation to proceed is seen as a legal and political hurdle for the Congress government in Karnataka.
The ruling also comes at a time when the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has been probing financial aspects of the MUDA case, particularly potential money laundering allegations linked to land dealings.
In a significant relief for Siddaramaiah’s family, the Karnataka High Court had earlier quashed the ED’s summons to his wife, Parvathi, ruling that the notice lacked legal standing. The ED had sought her appearance in connection with the alleged irregularities, but the court's ruling weakened the agency’s case.
While Siddaramaiah and his party have consistently dismissed the allegations as politically motivated, the ongoing scrutiny from multiple investigative agencies continues to keep the controversy alive. The Karnataka government's handling of urban development policies and land transactions is likely to remain under the scanner, with opposition parties leveraging the issue ahead of upcoming political battles.
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