Key Takeaways
- The Karnataka Lokayukta has cleared Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the MUDA case, but the investigation remains ongoing.
- The MUDA case refers to the alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority site allotment scam.
- The Lokayukta police are investigating compensatory land allotments made by MUDA between 2016 and 2024 under its 50:50 scheme.
Mysuru: The Karnataka Lokayukta has given a clean chit to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, his wife Parvathi, and two others in connection with the alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment scam.
A notice was sent to complainant Snehamayi Krishna, an RTI activist, on Wednesday, informing him that he may challenge the Lokayukta probe report within a week before the designated magistrate.
The notice stated that an investigation was conducted under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code, the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act, 1988, and the Karnataka Land Grabbing Prohibition Act, 2011, against Siddaramaiah, Parvathi, Mallikarjuna Swamy (Parvathi’s brother), and landowner Devaraj.
The inquiry concluded that the matter falls under civil dispute and found no sufficient proof to substantiate criminal charges against them.
The Lokayukta police stated that compensatory land allotments made by MUDA between 2016 and 2024 under its 50:50 scheme remain under investigation.
A report will be submitted to the court under Section 173(8) of the CrPC upon completion of the probe.
Reacting to the notice, Krishna expressed dissatisfaction, stating that he had anticipated such an outcome. “The Lokayukta notice states that there is no proof to substantiate my allegations. Then, did I provide them with baseless information? The Chief Minister is accused No. 1 in this case, and naturally, government officers under him have come to his rescue. I will continue my legal battle after reviewing the ‘B’ report submitted by the Lokayukta police,” he asserted.
Krishna had earlier submitted a petition to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, who approved a probe against Siddaramaiah. On September 27, a special court directed the filing of an FIR against the Chief Minister, his wife, and two others.
The investigation was led by a team of Lokayukta officers, headed by SP TJ Udesha, who questioned MUDA officials, politicians, and other individuals before submitting their findings to Lokayukta IGP A Subramanyeshwara Rao.
