The Lokayukta’s probe into the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam, which involved Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, his wife Parvathi BM, and other key figures, has revealed significant details about the investigation process. According to the report, which was exclusively accessed, the Lokayukta asked Siddaramaiah only 30 questions before filing a "B report," effectively closing the investigation against him. This move has sparked concerns, especially since the inquiry reportedly disregarded critical findings from the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which had previously investigated the case in depth.
Siddaramaiah, in his statement to the Lokayukta, asserted that he had no direct involvement in the land compensation case concerning his wife. He stated that Parvathi informed him about MUDA developing the layout in 2014 but maintained that, as the Chief Minister at the time, he did not give any instructions. He also claimed ignorance about Parvathi’s letter to MUDA seeking compensatory land.
He further admitted that in 2017, the then MUDA Chairman, Dhruv Kumar, informed him about the decision to compensate Parvathi under the 50:50 scheme, which allows claimants to receive alternative sites instead of financial compensation. Siddaramaiah said he chose not to interfere in the matter but could not recall whether he had declared the 14 sites linked to the case in his election affidavits for the 2018 and 2023 elections.
A key figure in the case, Dinesh Kumar, who signed the application for the Katha (land registration) of the 14 sites, was also mentioned in the ED’s investigation. The ED had earlier flagged Kumar’s role in the transaction, pointing to irregularities in how the compensation was granted. Despite these findings, the Lokayukta's report did not factor in the ED’s detailed probe, raising questions about the thoroughness of the investigation.
Meanwhile, the Special Court for Public Representatives took up the case on Monday, with petitioner Snehamayi Krishna urging the submission of the final report. The court instructed Krishna to file any objections after reviewing the report, while Special Public Prosecutor Venkatesh Arabatti confirmed that the report would be provided the same day. The next hearing has been scheduled for March 7, by which time Krishna will have received and reviewed the final report.
The case continues to draw political and legal attention, with critics questioning whether Lokayukta’s approach was too lenient given the ED’s prior findings. As the hearing progresses, all eyes will be on whether any further legal challenges arise and if the court demands a deeper probe into the matter.
