Lokayukta police to file closure report in MUDA case against CM Siddaramaiah, cites ‘lack of evidence’

The investigation began after the registration of an FIR on September 28, 2024, against Siddaramaiah, his wife Parvathi B M, brother-in-law Mallikarjun Swamy, and a landowner, Devaraju J, under the Prevention of Corruption Act and Indian Penal Code sections for breach of trust and cheating.

In the notice to Krishna, the Lokayukta police said there was no evidence to prove the allegations against any of them.

“As the allegations against accused-1 to accused-4 are not proved due to lack of evidence, the final report is being submitted to the competent court. The final report is being submitted to the court under Section 173 (8) of the Criminal Procedure Code after investigations into the allegations over the grant of compensatory plots under the 50:50 scheme, from the year 2016 to 2024, by the Mysore Urban Development Authority,” it said.

Lokayukta police sources confirmed the issuance of the notice.

The MUDA case is centred around 14 sites worth Rs 56 crore that were allotted to Siddaramaiah’s wife as compensation in 2021 — when the BJP was in power — after around 3.16 acres of land which were gifted to her by her brother in 2010 had been “wrongfully” acquired by MUDA in 2014.

Siddaramaiah has argued in public that there was no wrongdoing or corruption on his part in the allotment. Following the allegations of irregularities, Siddaramaiah’s wife returned the 14 sites.

Krishna, who obtained sanction from Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot to prosecute the CM in July 2024, was granted clearance by the HC on September 24, 2024, to seek an investigation into the MUDA land allotments.

A special court ordered an investigation by the Karnataka Lokayukta police on September 25, 2024, after the RTI activist sought a probe by the Lokayukta, the CBI or any other agency.

On February 7, the Karnataka HC rejected Krishna’s plea for a CBI probe and expressed confidence in the Lokayukta police. Krishna had claimed that the Lokayukta police was not effectively investigating the case since it functions under the purview of the state government.

“The Lokayukta/ office of the Lokayukta does not suffer from questionable independence. The insulation of the institution from external influences is already recognised by the apex court and the division bench of this court,” the Karnataka HC had said.

The HC bench, which perused an investigation report submitted by the Lokayukta police (in sealed cover), said there was no indication of bias in the probe.

On February 17, the Lokayukta police had sought extension of time to file its final report. Following the request, the special court adjourned the matter to February 24.

Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah has filed an appeal in the HC against the single-Judge order of September 24, 2024, which facilitated the investigation into the MUDA allotments. A division bench is due to hear the appeal on March 22.