MUDA row: Fresh complaint against Siddaramaiah alleges Karnataka CM destroyed evidence

The MUDA on Tuesday decided to take back the 14 plots allotted to Siddaramaiah's wife, following her decision to relinquish their ownership and possession.

Bengaluru: In fresh trouble for Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, a complaint was lodged with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) accusing him and others of “tampering with records and destroying evidence” in connection with the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) case.

The complaint was filed before the Joint Directorate, ED, Bengaluru by Pradeep Kumar SP, one among the complainants in the MUDA case regarding the alleged allotment of 14 sites in favour of the CM's wife BM Parvathi, on Wednesday.

"The ED issued the acknowledgement on Thursday as officials were unavailable on Wednesday," Kumar confirmed to DH.

The acknowledgement copy was seen by DH.

"It is believed that Siddaramaiah, his wife BM Parvathi and their son Yathindra Siddaramaiah have unlawfully obtained and secured ownership of 14 government sites in a manner that raises substantial concerns regarding compliance with the provisions of the Money Laundering Act,” Kumar alleged as per the ED complaint.

“This action may involve a misuse of authority and also fraudulent practices. The acquisition of these 14 sites under questionable circumstances not only undermines the integrity of our government authorities but also poses a risk to the community and the proper allocation of public resources.

“During this period, Yathindra Siddaramaiah has functioned as a member of MUDA and participated in the proceedings in which his mother sought illegal personal benefit for her family. Illegally, the 14 sites have allegedly been suppressed by MUDA to Parvathi at the behest of Siddaramaiah. MUDA officials such as the Commissioner, Secretary etc., On the very same day, the Revenue entries were also mutated which was highhandedness and misuse of the official position of Siddaramaiah,” he added.

Kumar stated that Siddaramaiah, using his position, is “tampering with records and destroying evidence himself as well as by using officials of MUDA”.

“I respectfully submit that the MUDA Commissioner is accused of suppression of Evidence under Sections 201 (causing disappearance of evidence) and 204 (destruction of document or electronic record to prevent its production as evidence) of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. Yathindra and his mother along with others are accused of abetment under Sections 107 (abetment) and 109 (punishment of abetment) of the Indian Penal Code, 1860,” Kumar said, urging the ED to arrest Siddaramaiah immediately.

A special court for elected representatives on September 25 directed the Lokayukta police in Mysuru to begin the probe against the CM and others on a complaint by Mysuru-based RTI activist Snehamayi Krishna. The court directed the Lokayukta police to file a report in three months. On September 24, the Karnataka High Court upheld the approval granted by Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot for a probe into the case against the CM under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Lokayukta police filed the FIR on September 27 against Siddaramaiah, Parvathi, brother-in-law Mallikarjuna Swamy and J Devaraju, who allegedly sold the land to Swamy. On September 30, the ED filed the Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR), the equivalent of an FIR in a police case, by taking cognizance of the Lokayukta FIR. The agency invoked sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against Siddaramaiah and others.