Based on the complaint filed by RTI activist Snehamayi Krishna, ED officials have launched a raid at MUDA and other places.
Published Oct 18, 2024 | 7:43 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 18, 2024 | 7:43 PM
A screengrab from a video, where ED is carrying out searches at MUDA office.
Based on RTI activist Snehamayi Krishna’s complaint, Enforcement Directorate officials are conducting searches in connection with the alleged irregularities at the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) on Friday, 18 October.
Apart from MUDA, the ED officials are also carrying out searches in several other offices including the Mysuru Taluk office and the residence of Devaraju in Bengaluru. He is the person who sold 3.16 acres to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s brother-in-law Mallikarjun Swamy.
RTI activist Snehamayi Krishna, one of the petitioners against the Karnataka Chief Minister and his family before the Special Court for People’s Representatives in the alleged MUDA scam, had also filed a complaint before the Enforcement Directorate on 28 September.
Following his complaint, the probe agency summoned the activist to the ED’s office in Bengaluru on 3 October. There, he was asked to submit all the documents and evidence on the alleged irregularities in MUDA land allotment. This also involves the allegations about the CM’s family illegally receiving 14 sites from the MUDA in 2021.
After reports of ED registering an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) against Siddaramaiah and his family members emerged, CM’s wife Parvathi voluntarily returned the 14 sites to MUDA officials on 1 October. Acting on Parvathi’s letter, MUDA officials carried out due process and took back the sites on 3 October.
Additionally, on the CM’s instructions, Congress leader K Marigowda also resigned as the chairperson of MUDA on 16 October.
Confirming the raids to media, the agency said that they had also been verifying documents since 16 October morning. However, officials did not disclose whether they were verifying documents connected to the allegations made on the Chief Minister or the alleged ₹5,000 crore irregularities in the MUDA.
Around 20 officials are said to be carrying out searches inside the MUDA office, accompanied by Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel. A few officials are also said to be verifying documents at the Mysuru Taluk office.
Meanwhile, ED officials are simultaneously carrying out searches in Devaraj’s residence, who sold the land at Kesari Hobballi in Mysuru to CM’s brother-in-law in 2004.
Following the raid, MUDA secretary Prasanna Kumar told reporters in Mysuru: “ED has come and they are seeking information. We will provide them whatever documents they demand from us. MUDA commissioner and other officials are present in the office. There are several senior ED officials. We do not have more information on this.”
He pointed out that they can provide more information only after getting ED officials’ consent. He also claimed that the ED officials have conveyed that they will be carrying out searches and verifying documents for the next two days at the MUDA office.
It may be noted that the Karnataka Lokayukta has registered an FIR against CM Siddaramaiah, his wife BM Parvathi, his brother-in-law Mallikarjun Swamy and Devaraju in the MUDA case – on the directions of the special court of people’s representatives – and have launched a probe on said allegations.
Minister for Urban Development in Karnataka, Byrati Suresh denied that the Enforcement Directorate was raiding MUDA.
Talking about the ED’s actions, Minister Suresh told reporters in Bengaluru: “Central agencies like Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Income Tax (IT) and ED officials have authority to inspect government offices and officials. ED has not raided the MUDA office. They are looking for some documents. Hence, they have turned up at the office in Mysuru.”
It may also be noted that RTI activist Snehamayi Krishna has filed a complaint before Director General of Police Alok Mohan, accusing Minister Suresh of moving important documents connected to the MUDA scam involving the Chief Minister from the MUDA office on 7 October.
Snehamayi Krishna told South First: “The ED is conducting searches based on the complaint that I filed on the irregularities in the MUDA land allotment, especially under the 50:50 formula.”
“I was summoned in the first week of October by ED when I submitted all the documents and evidence that I had in connection to the scam. They are verifying documents connected to the alleged scam to the tune ₹Rs 5,000 crore including allegations against the CM’s family.”
He added that the agency is expected to conclude its searches only by 20 October.
Following the raids, BJP’s Karnataka unit leaders including Legislative Assembly opposition leader R Ashoka denied the role of the BJP and the Centre in the ongoing raids.
R Ashoka told reporters in Bengaluru: “A complaint was filed regarding a scam involving over 1,200 plots, including one linked to CM Siddaramaiah. The raid was carried out in response to allegations of a scam worth around ₹3,000 to 4,000 crore. MUDA’s former Chairman Marigowda had highlighted this scam in a letter and Snehamayi Krishna filed a complaint.”
He denied claims that the raids were politically motivated and insisted that neither BJP nor the Centre had “any role in this. If there was no money laundering, how did the scam involving ₹3,000 to 4,000 crore take place? Once the plots were approved, someone must have received the money. That money would have been paid in cash, and such cash is typically black money.”
Criticising CM Siddaramaiah for not approaching the court, he said, “ED could have raised these questions in court, but the CM never approached the court. If the ED has no authority, then one must also question whether the government has the authority to form an SIT.”
Stating that the raid from ED was to be expected, Opposition leader Arvind Bellad told reporters in Hubballi: “MUDA scam is the biggest scandal that the state has ever witnessed. The irregularities is said to be the tune of ₹3,000 crore to 4,000 crore. The CM tried to escape from these allegations, like returning 14 sites back to the MUDA and Marigowda was compelled to resign. If there were no irregularities in the MUDA, why he was made to resign?”
On the scam allegations against the ruling government, he added, “The alleged Valmiki Corporation and MUDA scams are getting stronger with each passing day. I strongly feel that Siddaramaiah will not remain as the Chief Minister for long.”
(Edited by Neena)
