Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday stated that his wife, BM Parvathi, decided to return the 14 compensatory land sites she received from the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) to avoid controversy amid a money laundering investigation. Siddaramaiah described her as a “victim of politics of hate” directed at him.

Speaking to reporters, Siddaramaiah said the Enforcement Directorate’s recent action against him and others in the MUDA case led his wife to take the step. “My wife was upset and decided to return the land sites. She doesn’t want any controversy,” he said, reiterating that no wrongdoing occurred.+

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In a tweet earlier, Siddaramaiah expressed regret that his wife, who has stayed away from his political career, was caught in the crossfire of political hostility. “She is suffering psychological torture,” he wrote, adding that he respected her decision to return the plots.

The case involves 3.16 acres of land originally gifted to Parvathi by her brother, which MUDA later encroached upon, providing compensatory plots. Siddaramaiah claimed the issue arose after MUDA gave plots in a different location without their request, calling it a political conspiracy.

Denying allegations of wrongdoing, Siddaramaiah criticized former CM BS Yediyurappa for the land denotification. Parvathi’s move followed the ED’s FIR and a Lokayukta police investigation ordered by a special court.