What Led to the Arrest of Ex-MUDA Commissioner Dinesh Kumar in the Land Scam?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- G.T. Dinesh Kumar arrested for alleged illegal site allotments.
- Chief Minister Siddaramaiah named as accused number one.
- Investigation led by the ED and Lokayukta.
- Evidence suggests Dinesh amassed wealth through illicit means.
- Hearing for the case set for September 29.
Bengaluru, Sep 17 (NationPress) The officers from the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) have detained G.T. Dinesh Kumar, the former Commissioner of the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA), in relation to the MUDA scam, where Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is identified as the primary accused.
Dinesh Kumar was initially apprehended while he was undergoing an inquiry at the ED office located in the Shanthinagar region of Bengaluru concerning the MUDA scam. He was officially arrested on Tuesday.
His arrest was made under suspicions of unlawfully allotting sites. Earlier, the state government had permitted the investigation against Dinesh following a request from the Lokayukta.
Consequently, the ED proceeded with his arrest. The agency had previously seized properties associated with Dinesh during the investigation.
The Lokayukta, which is also examining the MUDA case, requested the state to investigate both the former MUDA President H.V. Rajeev and Dinesh. However, the government sanctioned an inquiry solely against Dinesh.
After being summoned for questioning by the ED, he was arrested subsequently. He is facing allegations of fabricating documents to enable the unauthorized reallocation of sites for personal profit.
The ED has declared that it has collected evidence indicating that Dinesh accrued wealth through illicit transactions. He had held the position of Commissioner of MUDA in 2022.
Due to allegations of illegal site allotments under a 50:50 ratio scheme, the government reassigned him without a new position. However, he was later appointed as the Registrar of Haveri University—a move perceived as a reward from the Congress-led government in Karnataka. Following the controversy, this appointment was ultimately rescinded.
In a related update, activist Snehamayi Krishna, the complainant in the MUDA case, has expressed his desire to have the Investigating Officer changed, to reject the 'B Final Report' submitted against CM Siddaramaiah and others, and to be allowed to present the charges in the Special Court for MLAs and MPs.
Snehamayi Krishna has also urged for separate cases to be initiated against other implicated individuals and for action to be taken against the investigating officers. The Special Court has set a hearing date for this application on September 29.