Trouble is mounting for Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached 142 immovable properties worth approximately Rs. 300 Crore in connection with the MUDA land scam. The properties are linked to Siddaramaiah's wife, Smt. BM Parvathi, and have been seized under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
The ED's action follows an investigation initiated based on an FIR filed by the Lokayuktha Police Mysore. The FIR alleges that Siddaramaiah, using his political influence, facilitated the illegal acquisition of compensation land in the form of 14 sites for his wife after the acquisition of land for the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA). The land was initially valued at Rs. 3.24 lakh but the compensation sites, located in a posh locality, are valued at approximately Rs. 56 Crore.
The investigation also revealed the role of DB Natesh, the former MUDA commissioner, who allegedly played a key part in the illegal allotment of the compensation sites to Siddaramaiah’s wife. Further probes unearthed that many more sites were illegally allotted to real estate businessmen and agents, who profited heavily by reselling them. The funds generated through these illicit transactions were laundered and made to appear legitimate.
Additionally, the ED found evidence that illegal gratification in the form of property and sites was given to influential figures like the former MUDA chairman and commissioner. It has also been discovered that the laundered money was used to purchase luxury vehicles and other assets, allegedly in the names of relatives of GT Dinesh Kumar, the former MUDA commissioner.
