The Karnataka Lokayukta has exonerated Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, his wife Parvathi, and two others in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allocation case, stating that there was insufficient evidence to support the allegations. The anti-corruption watchdog is set to submit a B-report, effectively closing the case due to a lack of prosecutable evidence, a move that has drawn both criticism and political reactions.
The investigation, which had been ongoing for months, concluded that the accusations leveled against Siddaramaiah and the other individuals were civil in nature rather than criminal. It found no proof of any fraudulent or illegal actions, determining that the claims did not warrant criminal proceedings under the law. A formal notice has been sent to the complainant, journalist and social activist Snehamayi Krishna, informing him of the findings. He has been granted a week's time to challenge the report before the designated magistrate if he wishes to contest the Lokayukta’s conclusions.
The complaint, which alleged irregularities in MUDA's site allotments, was filed under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Prevention of Corruption Act, the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act, and the Karnataka Land Grabbing Act. The complainant accused Siddaramaiah and others of being involved in an unlawful land allocation process. However, after a detailed investigation, the Lokayukta determined that no criminal wrongdoing had taken place. The final report exonerates all four accused, effectively bringing the case to a close.
Despite the clean chit, the development has not gone without controversy. Complainant Snehamayi Krishna has strongly criticized the Lokayukta officials, accusing them of acting under political influence and disregarding the evidence presented. Expressing his dissatisfaction, he stated that despite submitting various documents and testimonies, the Lokayukta had dismissed the case on what he claims to be unfounded grounds. He further alleged that officials had "sold their conscience" and had succumbed to political pressure. In a defiant tone, he asserted that he would not give up and would continue pursuing legal avenues to ensure that justice is served, emphasizing that he was determined to hold Siddaramaiah accountable.
Adding to the political firestorm, Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka also criticized the Lokayukta’s findings, alleging that the entire investigation had been a biased exercise aimed at protecting the Chief Minister. In a scathing remark, he referred to the Lokayukta as a "clean chit guarantee machine" operating under the influence of the ruling government. He went on to claim that Congress ministers and MLAs had already absolved Siddaramaiah even before the investigation had begun, suggesting that the outcome had been predetermined. He accused the government of manipulating institutions to shield itself from scrutiny and warned that while justice may be delayed, the truth would eventually prevail.
Despite the exoneration, the Lokayukta has clarified that compensatory land allotments made by MUDA between 2016 and 2024 will still be scrutinized separately. A supplementary probe is currently underway, and the anti-corruption body has indicated that a further report will be submitted to the court under Section 173(8) of the Criminal Procedure Code upon completion of this additional investigation. This means that while Siddaramaiah and the other accused may have been cleared in this particular case, the larger issue of MUDA’s land allocations remains under the scanner, with more developments expected in the coming months.
