A complaint has been filed against Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and nine others, accusing them of forging documents to claim compensation from the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA). The complaint, lodged by social activist Snehamayi Krishna at Vijayanagar Police Station in Mysuru, implicates Siddaramaiah, his wife Parvathy, his brother-in-law Mallikarjuna Swamy Devaraj (who claimed to be a landowner), and other family members.
The complaint also alleges the involvement of several officials, including the deputy commissioner, tahsildar, deputy registrar, and MUDA officials, in the scheme. Additionally, letters have been sent to the governor, the state chief secretary, and the principal secretary of the revenue department. Krishna alleges that MUDA fabricated documents to fraudulently acquire plots worth crores of rupees.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi has called for an impartial investigation into the alleged MUDA scam, urging the state government to transfer the case to the CBI. Joshi stated, “It is alleged that it is a more than Rs 3,800 crores scam, and plots duly authorized by MUDA have been transferred in the name of the wife of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. There is a huge scam, and the then DC, who has now been transferred to cover up the same, had written more than 15 letters to the state government to look into the matter and show proper directions to MUDA. In spite of that, they did not act, and Siddaramaiah got very valuable land.”
In contrast, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar dismissed allegations of any scam in MUDA site allocation, stating there have been no scams during the Congress tenure in the state. He remarked, “All the scams that the state witnessed have taken place during the BJP tenure. We will respond to all the allegations during the session.”
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah confirmed that an investigation is underway to ascertain if there was any misuse in the allotment of MUDA plots. He explained, “The plots are currently on hold, and there has been no loss to the government. Those involved in the plot allotment have been transferred, and a senior IAS officer is leading the investigation. A final decision will be made after the report is submitted.”
Responding to the BJP’s allegations and their demand for a CBI inquiry, Siddaramaiah questioned, “Why do they want to hand over everything to the CBI?”