MUDA land allotment: Court orders probe against Siddaramaiah after HC upholds prosecution nod

This order, pronounced by Judge Santhosh Gajanana Bhat, follows the high court’s decision to uphold the sanction granted by Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot to investigate alleged irregularities in the allotment of 14 plots to Siddaramaiah’s wife B M Parvathi by MUDA.

In response to the court’s orders, Siddaramaiah reiterated his willingness to face the investigation. “I am ready for a legal fight. I had said this yesterday and I am reiterating it today as well,” he said.

Siddaramaiah, who had attended a review meeting in Bengaluru before leaving for Kerala, returned to the city on Wednesday night.

MUDA had allotted 14 housing plots, totalling 38,286 sq ft, to Parvathi under a controversial 50:50 ratio scheme in exchange for 3.16 acres of her land, which was developed into a residential layout. Critics allege that Parvathi had no legal title to the 3.16 acres of land at survey number 464 of Kasare village in Kasaba Hobli in Mysuru district.

The Congress leader has defended the land allotment, made in 2021 during the BJP’s rule, as “totally legal”. The allegations stem from complaints made by anti-corruption activists T J Abraham, Snehamayi Krishna and Pradeep Kumar, who approached the Governor in July, claiming corruption in the acquisition of the land by Siddaramaiah’s brother-in-law B M Mallikarjun in 2004. Mallikarjun later gifted the land to Siddaramaiah’s wife in 2010.

Siddaramaiah should resign: Justice Santosh Hegde

Former Lokayukta chief justice Santosh Hegde, speaking in Mangaluru, expressed scepticism about Siddaramaiah’s chances of relief from higher courts. “The high court has said that there is prima facie evidence, and I think he should resign,” he said.

While rejecting Siddaramaiah’s petition, the high court said, “It is difficult to accept that CM Siddaramaiah was not ‘behind the curtain’ during the entire transaction of MUDA land, in which his family allegedly benefited approximately Rs 56 crores.”

Home Minister G Parameshwara, however, said the Lokayukta was an independent body. “They will investigate the case, but I will react only when the order copy of the court comes,” he added.

BJP state president B Y Vijayendra has called for Siddaramaiah’s resignation, stating that his continuing in the chief minister’s position would compromise the investigation.

Protests were held by BJP and JD(S) leaders at Freedom Park, with former prime minister H D Deve Gowda in attendance. Police stopped the protesters from marching towards the chief minister’s official residence.

Krishna, who later lodged a complaint with the Lokayukta, expressed satisfaction with the high court’s verdict, stating, “I will first file the FIR and approach the high court requesting it to hand over the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation for an impartial investigation.”