Court to Decide on Closure Report for Siddaramaiah Post Lokayukta Probe Completion
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Synopsis
The Special Court for MLAs and MPs has declared that the resolution regarding the closure report against Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will occur only after the Lokayukta investigation concludes. The court has instructed the Lokayukta to finalize its report by May 7, amidst objections from the Enforcement Directorate regarding the closure.
Key Takeaways
- Decision on closure report awaits Lokayukta probe completion.
- ED has raised objections to the Lokayukta's closure report.
- Siddaramaiah named as the primary accused in the MUDA case.
- Court mandates final report submission by May 7.
- ED seeks accountability for money laundering involved parties.
Bengaluru, April 15 (NationPress) The Special Court for MLAs and MPs stated on Tuesday that a determination regarding the closure report against Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will be made only after the Lokayukta investigation is concluded.
This ruling followed the objections raised by the Enforcement Directorate regarding the closure report associated with the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) case, which involves CM Siddaramaiah, his wife, and others.
The court emphasized that the Lokayukta's probe is still ongoing and instructed the Lokayukta to present its final report once the investigation is finished by May 7.
"On one side, the Lokayukta has submitted a closure report, while on the other, it indicates that the investigation is still necessary. Therefore, let the inquiry reach its conclusion," the court remarked.
"It is prudent to address the objection plea after the investigation has been finalized," the court added.
Additionally, the court ruled that the ED is permitted to lodge an objection against the Lokayukta's investigation. The Lokayukta's counsel argued that the ED cannot be considered an aggrieved party in this matter.
Previously, after the completion of arguments, Judge Santhosh Gajanan Bhat had set the matter for a decision for today.
The ED contested the closure report submitted by the Karnataka Lokayukta by filing a petition in the Special Court.
They requested the court to reject the closure report from the Karnataka Lokayukta and to issue necessary directives as appropriate for further investigation.
While arguing the MUDA case at the Special Court for MLAs and MPs in Bengaluru, the ED insisted that those accused of money laundering should not evade accountability.
CM Siddaramaiah is identified as the primary accused in the MUDA case, with his wife, Parvati, as the second accused, and his brother-in-law, Mallikarjunaswamy, as the third.
Earlier, the Karnataka Lokayukta had presented a closure report citing insufficient evidence against the accused.
Senior counsel Madhukar Deshpande, representing the ED, stated: "The Karnataka Lokayukta has filed a 'B Report' concerning the four accused in the MUDA scam. Thus, the ED is entitled to challenge this closure report. The Supreme Court has decreed that individuals involved in money laundering should not be exonerated easily."
The counsel mentioned that the ED had provided all relevant details of its investigation regarding the MUDA case to the Lokayukta Police, but these findings were overlooked. Moreover, the report shared by the ED will also be submitted to the court.
