Karnataka MUDA Scam: Siddaramaiah Faces New Trouble as ED Files Case!

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah Faces Legal Troubles

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is currently embroiled in significant legal challenges following a recent First Information Report (FIR) filed by the state Lokayukta. On Monday, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) initiated a case against Siddaramaiah and several others in connection with alleged money laundering linked to the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA). This legal action represents a deepening crisis for the Chief Minister, who is a prominent figure in Karnataka politics.

Key Individuals Named in the FIR

According to reports from news agency PTI, the FIR filed by the Lokayukta Police on September 27, includes not only Siddaramaiah but also his wife, BM Parvati, his brother-in-law Mallikarjuna Swamy, and another individual named Devaraju. The allegations suggest that Swamy acquired land from Devaraju and subsequently gifted it to Parvati, raising suspicions of financial impropriety.

Legal Proceedings Against Siddaramaiah

Last week, a special court in Bengaluru authorized the Lokayukta police to register an FIR against Siddaramaiah after reviewing the case. The Karnataka High Court reaffirmed the Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot’s approval to investigate allegations against this senior Congress leader, prompting the Special Court to direct the Lokayukta police to take further action.

Enforcement Directorate’s Role

The ED has invoked relevant sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to formally open a case against Siddaramaiah through its Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR), which is akin to a police FIR. This allows the agency to summon individuals for questioning and possibly seize assets implicated in the investigation.

Defiant Response from Siddaramaiah

At 76 years old, Siddaramaiah has voiced strong opposition to the allegations, asserting that these legal maneuvers are politically motivated—claiming the opposition is “scared” of him. He has characterized the situation as his first involvement in a “political case” and has maintained that he will not resign, confident in his claim of innocence. He has expressed his intention to fully defend himself through legal means.

Overview of the MUDA Scandal Allegations

The core allegations in the MUDA site-allocation case suggest that Siddaramaiah received preferential treatment from the authority. In exchange for properties acquired from his wife, it is alleged that Siddaramaiah was granted parcels of land in high-value areas of Mysore, potentially amounting to substantial illegal gains. The Lokayukta’s FIR cites multiple offenses under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including: