Karnataka Court Allows Further Probe into Land Scam Involving Siddaramaiah
Lokayukta Police to Continue Investigation
Court Defers Decision on Closure Report
A Karnataka court permitted the Lokayukta police to investigate further into an alleged land scam involving Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday. However, the court postponed its ruling on a closure report submitted by the anti-corruption ombudsman in February, which found “no evidence” against the Congress leader.
Special Judge’s Order
Special judge Santosh Gajanan Bhat decided to hold off on accepting the report until the Lokayukta Police files its final report.
Details of the Alleged Scam
The alleged scam concerns the allotment of 14 high-value housing sites in Mysuru’s Vijaynagar area to Siddaramaiah’s wife, Parvathi, in 2021 by the Mysore Urban Development Authority under a state government scheme. This was allegedly done in exchange for 3.1 acres of land that Parvathi owned in another part of the city, which was allegedly illegally acquired from Dalit families.
Order for Lokayukta Police Investigation
On September 25, a special court in Bengaluru ordered a Lokayukta police investigation against Siddaramaiah after the Karnataka High Court upheld the sanction granted by Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot to prosecute him. On September 27, the Lokayukta police registered a first information report against Siddaramaiah, Parvathi, her brother Mallikarjuna Swamy, and a person named Devaraju.
Parvathi’s Offer to Return Plots
Parvathi offered to return the 14 plots in question on October 1. This came after the Enforcement Directorate booked Siddaramaiah under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in connection with the alleged scam.
Lokayukta Police’s Closure Report
Although the Lokayukta Police found no evidence against Siddaramaiah in its closure report, it alleged that the 50:50 site allotment policy followed by former Mysuru Urban Development Authority commissioner DB Natesh and his predecessors led to significant losses to the state exchequer. The anti-corruption ombudsman sought permission to investigate their actions.
Enforcement Directorate’s Protest Petition
The Enforcement Directorate had filed a protest petition against the Lokayukta Police’s closure report. The court on Tuesday said it would not rule on whether the agency could be allowed to file the protest petition, as it had not yet decided on the closure report. However, the judge permitted the Enforcement Directorate to continue its investigation into the allegations related to the case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
