Daijiworld Media Network - Mysuru

Mysuru, Feb 19: The Karnataka Lokayukta has given a clean chit to chief minister Siddaramaiah and his family members in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) land allotment case.

Siddaramaiah was named as the first accused in the case, with his wife B M Parvathi and brother-in-law Mallikarjunaswamy listed as the second and third accused, respectively. Landowner J Devaraju was named as the fourth accused.

The allegations claimed that Siddaramaiah fraudulently secured the allotment of 14 sites in his wife’s name from MUDA in exchange for 3.16 acres of land. However, following an investigation, the Lokayukta cleared all the accused of wrongdoing.

The Lokayukta conveyed this decision to petitioner Snehamayi Krishna through a notice, informing him that he could approach the magistrate within a week if he wished to challenge the findings.

Superintendent of police T J Udesh, in the notice, stated that the investigation concluded the case was civil in nature and did not warrant criminal proceedings. The allegations were found to be either based on a misconception or a misinterpretation of the law, and no action could be initiated.

The notice further stated that no evidence was found against Siddaramaiah and the other accused, and the final report had been accepted by the court. However, the alleged irregularities in the allotment of sites under the 50:50 ratio by MUDA will be further investigated, with a final report to be submitted under Section 173(8) of the CrPC.

Reacting to the development, Snehamayi Krishna said, “The entire nation has been eagerly awaiting this report, and now the Lokayukta officials, who are preparing to submit it to the court, have issued a notice to me!”

“It appears there is no evidence to support my allegations. Only officials who have compromised their conscience can produce such a report! This case is a glaring example of how investigating officers, under 'pressure,' behave as if they are unaware of the evidence supporting the allegations,” he alleged.

The MUDA case has sparked a political storm in the state, with opposition parties demanding Siddaramaiah’s resignation.

Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is also probing the matter, and the Karnataka High Court recently dismissed a petition seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry.