The ED challenged the Lokayukta’s closure report, calling it legally flawed, and urged the court to reject it, stressing the case involves criminal elements and warrants further independent investigation
Published Apr 15, 2025 | 7:08 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 15, 2025 | 7:08 PM
CM Siddaramaiah to hold finance and administration classes for legislators (siddaramaiah/Twitter)
Synopsis: In a setback for Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, a Special Court directed the Lokayukta police to continue probing the MUDA site allotment case. The court deferred its decision on activist Snehamayi Krishna’s protest against the closure report and allowed the Enforcement Directorate to file objections, stating the investigation is incomplete and a final report is still awaited.
In a significant development and setback for Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, a Special Court for MPs and MLAs on Tuesday, 15 April, directed the Lokayukta police to continue their investigation into the controversial Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment case.
The court also deferred its decision on a protest petition filed by journalist and activist Snehamayi Krishna, who had earlier challenged the ‘B Report’ (closure report) submitted by the Lokayukta, which claimed there was insufficient evidence to pursue prosecution against Siddaramaiah and others.
The court observed that the Lokayukta police had not yet completed the investigation and therefore must submit a final report.
It clarified that the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which has also raised objections to the clean chit, has the authority to file a petition as an aggrieved party in the matter.
The ED had formally challenged the Lokayukta’s closure report, calling it flawed in both facts and legal interpretation. In its protest petition, the ED urged the court to reject the ‘B Report’ and allow it to independently probe the case further.
The agency emphasised that the matter could not merely be classified as civil in nature, as stated by the Lokayukta.
Lokayukta SP Udesh, in a notice to the original complainant Snehamayi Krishna, had earlier stated that the complaint lacked substantial evidence and involved cases previously dismissed.
He maintained that the accusations were unproven and the matter did not merit criminal investigation.
The case has now been adjourned to 7 May, when the court will consider the final report from the Lokayukta police and any objections filed.
The MUDA case involves allegations that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s family misused public office to receive 14 prime residential plots in Mysuru as compensation for alleged encroachment of 3.16 acres of land by MUDA.
The land was allotted under the controversial 50:50 scheme, where MUDA provides 50% of developed land in exchange for acquired land.
Siddaramaiah’s wife, Parvathi, was among the beneficiaries of the allotment. Opposition BJP leaders have alleged that the scam could be worth ₹4,000–5,000 crore, and have launched sustained protests calling for accountability and an independent probe.
(Edited by Ananya Rao with inputs from Nolan Patrick Pinto)
