Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is under legal scrutiny following a Special Court’s directive in Bengaluru, ordering the Karnataka Lokayukta to investigate his alleged involvement in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) land allotment scam. The order, issued on Wednesday, has brought the state’s highest-ranking official into the spotlight over allegations of illegal land allocation to his wife, Parvathi Siddaramaiah, involving 14 sites worth Rs 56 crore.
Responding to the court’s directive, Siddaramaiah took to social media platform X, expressing his readiness to face the investigation head-on. “It has come to my attention through the media that the Special Court for Elected Representatives has ordered an investigation by the Mysuru Lokayukta. I will provide a detailed response after reviewing the full copy of the order. There is no question of fearing an investigation; I am determined to face everything. After discussing with legal experts, I will decide the next course of action,” he stated.
The case against Siddaramaiah centers on the accusation that the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) illegally allocated prime real estate to his wife. These allegations have spurred an investigation by the Lokayukta, with the Mysuru district police tasked with leading the probe. The police are expected to submit their report within three months. The court’s order comes in the wake of the Karnataka High Court lifting an interim stay granted to Siddaramaiah on August 19, which had previously delayed the investigation.
The complaint that triggered the investigation was filed by social activist Snehamayi Krishna. Her legal counsel, Advocate Vasant Kumar, emphasized the importance of transparency in the investigation. “An FIR must be registered following the court’s order. The Mysuru Lokayukta will conduct the investigation, and it is crucial for the Chief Minister to step down to ensure an impartial probe,” Kumar said, reinforcing demands for Siddaramaiah’s resignation.
This court ruling marks a significant turn of events, especially following the Karnataka High Court’s decision on Tuesday to dismiss Siddaramaiah’s petition. In this petition, he had challenged Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot’s approval for an investigation into the alleged illegal land allotments. Justice M. Nagaprasanna, who presided over the case, ruled that the Governor’s sanction for prosecution was sound and did not suffer from any lack of due diligence.
Legal experts and political observers are closely watching the developments, as the case has the potential to disrupt Karnataka’s political landscape. Advocate Laxmi Ayengar, representing the petitioner, expressed satisfaction with the Special Court’s decision. “We are extremely happy with the order. The court has mandated the Lokayukta to investigate, and if done fairly, there should be no need for us to request a transfer. However, if the process lacks transparency, we are prepared to move the court again,” Ayengar stated.
The opposition, particularly the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has used the scandal to criticize Siddaramaiah, calling for his resignation to maintain the integrity of the investigation. Siddaramaiah, however, remains firm in his position, denying any wrongdoing and maintaining that the decisions taken by MUDA were without his interference.
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As the investigation unfolds, Karnataka awaits the Lokayukta’s findings, which could have significant political and legal ramifications for Siddaramaiah and his government. The next three months will be crucial in determining whether the allegations hold water or if the Chief Minister emerges unscathed from this high-stakes legal battle.