Jolt for Siddaramaiah as Karnataka HC upholds guv’s prosecution nod in MUDA scam

In a major jolt to Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, the Karnataka High Court has upheld the sanction given for his prosecution by the governor Thawar Chand Gehlot. 

This means that a probe agency will start investigating his role in the MUDA scam, a land-swap scam that has rocked Siddaramaiah. 

Also Read: What is the MUDA scam for which Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah faces prosecution?

What is the MUDA scam all about? 

The ongoing controversy surrounding the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) has escalated into a significant scandal marked by serious allegations of corruption. At the heart of the issue is a contentious land exchange scheme where less desirable parcels of land located in remote areas were traded for highly valuable plots situated in prime locations. This scandal has drawn heightened scrutiny, particularly due to accusations implicating Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his family in unethical dealings.

The allegations suggest that Parvathi Siddaramaiah, the Chief Minister's wife, benefited from this questionable land swap. Critics assert that the transactions involved land originally belonging to the Dalit community, which raises serious ethical and legal concerns. Opposition parties have estimated the financial implications of the alleged scam to be around ₹3,000 crore, a figure that underscores the scale of the controversy.

Complaints have been lodged by Snehamayi Krishna, who claims that MUDA engaged in creating forged documents to unlawfully obtain valuable plots worth crores. The accusations extend further to include Siddaramaiah's brother-in-law, Mallikarjuna Swamy Devaraj, suggesting a network of misconduct tied to the Chief Minister's family.

In response to these serious allegations, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has vehemently denied any wrongdoing. He maintains that all transactions were conducted in accordance with the law. Furthermore, he has alleged that the Development Authority improperly developed a layout on a four-acre plot owned by his wife in Kesarur, Mysuru, without following the correct acquisition procedures.

This case has garnered widespread media attention and public scrutiny, with growing calls for a comprehensive investigation into the alleged irregularities and the involvement of prominent individuals within the government. As the situation unfolds, many are watching closely to see how the authorities will address these serious allegations against high-ranking officials and their families.