ED Names Karnataka CM, Wife and Officials in MUDA Land Scam Probe

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has reportedly named Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, his family members, and several senior officials of the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) in its investigation into an alleged Rs 56 crore land allotment scam. The probe has uncovered significant irregularities, including illegal de-notification of government-acquired land and fraudulent land conversions.

According to the ED report, there were serious violations, including document forgery, political influence, and misuse of official authority. A major concern highlighted in the investigation is the unauthorized de-notification of land originally designated for public use, allegedly carried out without expert review or proper due diligence. During the period in question, Siddaramaiah served as Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister and a MUDA board member, though the report states he was not present at the meeting that approved the de-notification.

Further, the probe found fraudulent land conversions, where revenue officials allegedly forged inspection reports to falsely claim that MUDA had not developed the land. A key indemnity bond submitted by BM Mallikarjuna Swamy, a prime suspect, was reportedly unsigned, raising suspicions of document manipulation.

One of the most controversial findings involves the illegal allotment of 14 high-value plots to B M Parvathi, Siddaramaiah’s wife, in violation of statutory guidelines. Following the ED’s intervention, these plots were returned to MUDA on October 1, 2024. However, the ED maintains that money laundering charges under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, remain valid.

The investigation also points to the involvement of Siddaramaiah’s son, Yathindra, who was a MUDA board member and an MLA at the time of the alleged illegal allotments. Siddaramaiah’s close aide, S G Dinesh Kumar, also known as C T Kumar, has been accused of manipulating site allotments in favor of Parvathi through forgery.

The ED has named several individuals in the case, including Siddaramaiah, BM Parvathi, BM Mallikarjuna Swamy, J Devaraju, and multiple unidentified MUDA officials and real estate businessmen. The agency is now broadening its probe to scrutinize financial transactions and the potential concealment of unlawfully acquired assets. The investigation suggests collusion between political figures and MUDA officials, including then-MUDA Commissioner D B Natesh, as the ED moves to expand its inquiry.