At the centre of the investigation is the alleged misuse of political influence by Siddaramaiah to secure 14 prime properties for his wife, BM Parvathi, as compensation for three acres and 16 guntas of land acquired by the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA).
Published Jan 17, 2025 | 8:58 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 17, 2025 | 8:58 PM
The investigation focuses on allegations that Siddaramaiah used political influence to secure properties for his wife as compensation for land acquired by the Mysore Urban Development Authority. (Wikimedia Commons)
The Enforcement Directorate has frozen 142 immovable properties worth approximately ₹300 crore linked to the alleged MUDA corruption case involving Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and other officials.
The properties, registered to various real estate businessmen and agents, were provisionally attached under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, the agency’s Bengaluru Zonal Office announced on Friday, 17 January.
At the centre of the investigation is the alleged misuse of political influence by Siddaramaiah to secure 14 prime properties for his wife, BM Parvathi, as compensation for three acres and 16 guntas of land acquired by the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA).
ED, Bangalore has provisionally attached 142 immovable properties having market value of Rs. 300 Crore (approx.) registered in the name of various individuals who are working as real-estate businessmen and agents under the provisions of the PMLA, 2002, in connection with the case…
— ED (@dir_ed) January 17, 2025
The compensatory sites, located in a posh locality, are valued at approximately ₹56 crore, while the original land’s acquisition cost was a mere ₹3,24,700.
Former MUDA Commissioner DB Natesh allegedly played an “instrumental role” in the illegal allotment of these compensation sites, according to the agency.
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The investigation, initiated based on an FIR registered by the Lokayukta Police Mysuru under various sections of IPC and Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, has reportedly uncovered a broader network of illegal property allotments.
The agency further said searches revealed numerous sites, beyond the 14 allotted to Parvathi, were allocated to benamis and dummy persons acting on behalf of influential figures and real estate businessmen, who subsequently sold them at substantial profits.
Incriminating evidence of illegal gratification paid to the then MUDA chairman and commissioner in the form of immovable property, MUDA sites and cash were reportedly also discovered. These illicit gains were subsequently laundered and portrayed as legitimate income.
Additionally, the agency said that it found money was routed through a cooperative society for purchasing property and luxury vehicles in the names of relatives of GT Dinesh Kumar, who previously served as MUDA commissioner.
The investigation is ongoing.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
