Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has received a major relief in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) land scam case, as the Lokayukta has found no evidence to support allegations against him. The anti-corruption watchdog issued a notice on Wednesday to complainant Snehamayi Krishna, stating that there is no material to incriminate the Chief Minister and the other accused.
The complaint, filed last year by three anti-corruption activists including Krishna, had sought Siddaramaiah’s prosecution, citing irregularities in land allotments by MUDA. The activists had written to Governor Thawarchand Gehlot, who had sanctioned the filing of a case against the Chief Minister. However, this approval was challenged in the Karnataka High Court, which eventually upheld the Governor’s decision.
MUDA Land Allotments Still Under Scrutiny
While Siddaramaiah has been given a clean chit, the Lokayukta has stated that compensatory land allotments by MUDA between 2016 and 2024—particularly those involving Siddaramaiah’s wife, BM Parvathi—will remain under investigation. A supplementary report will be submitted to the court regarding these transactions.
The case revolves around allegations that MUDA’s land grants in prime areas of Mysuru, in exchange for land on the outskirts, led to a loss of Rs 45 crore for the state.
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The complaint also named Siddaramaiah’s son, S Yathindra, and several senior MUDA officials. The controversy escalated when MUDA chief K Mari Gowda, a known associate of Siddaramaiah, stepped down following the accusations.
Siddaramaiah Maintains Innocence
Throughout the investigation, Siddaramaiah has denied any wrongdoing, asserting that the plots allotted to his wife were actually gifts from her brother. In a bid to defuse tensions, BM Parvathi offered to surrender the land in question, and MUDA agreed to reclaim it under the condition that it would not impact the ongoing probe.
“This is a politically motivated case. I have done nothing illegal. I will fight this legally and prove my innocence,” Siddaramaiah had said after the Karnataka High Court upheld the Governor’s sanction.
Political Implications of the Lokayukta’s Findings
The Lokayukta’s clean chit, if confirmed, will be a significant political victory for the ruling Congress, which has faced relentless attacks from the BJP over the land scam allegations.
The opposition BJP and its ally, the JD(U), had demanded Siddaramaiah’s resignation and called for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the matter.
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However, the state government had preemptively withdrawn general consent for the CBI to operate in Karnataka, citing concerns of bias.
With the Lokayukta’s findings in his favor, Siddaramaiah’s position as Chief Minister appears secure, bolstering Congress’s stance against the opposition’s corruption allegations. The final report from the Lokayukta is awaited, and the political ramifications of this development are expected to continue shaping Karnataka’s political landscape in the coming weeks.
