ED confiscates 160 properties valued at Rs 300 crore in Karnataka MUDA scam investigation
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Synopsis
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has seized 160 sites in Karnataka's MUDA scam investigation, valued at over Rs 300 crore. This action follows allegations of illegal allotments made in violation of regulations aimed at benefiting influential individuals.
Key Takeaways
- ED seized 160 sites in MUDA scam.
- Sites valued at over Rs 300 crore.
- Illegal allotments allegedly benefited influential figures.
- Investigation focuses on benami transactions.
- Legal proceedings against CM Siddaramaiah and others.
Mysuru (Karnataka), Jan 29 (NationPress) The Enforcement Directorate (ED), currently probing the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam, has confiscated 160 sites that were improperly allocated to various individuals, breaching the rules associated with the 50:50 ratio formula, according to sources reported on Wednesday.
The ED confirmed that these sites were seized under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, due to evidence suggesting benami transactions involving substantial amounts of money, as per the sources.
According to the sources, the assessed value of these sites, based on the guidance value, stands at Rs 81 crore, while their actual market valuation exceeds Rs 300 crore. The ED's actions include the seizure of 31 sites registered to one Ravi, 41 sites under Abdul Wahid, 40 sites associated with the Cathedral Society, and 48 sites belonging to other individuals.
The investigation disclosed that MUDA registered 31 sites in a single day under Ravi's name on September 11, 2023. Among these, 12 sites are in Kuvempunagar, while 19 are in Dattagalli and Vijayanagara, localities renowned for their development decades ago in Mysuru. Sources also noted that 25 sites were registered under Abdul Wahid on March 8, 2023, with three additional sites registered on October 1, 2023.
The ED has dispatched the seizure order to the Sub-Registrar's office to commence the process of confiscating these sites.
Petitioner Snehamayi Krishna alleged in his complaint that approximately 3,000 to 4,000 sites, intended for allocation to impoverished and middle-class individuals who have been waiting for decades, were instead distributed to supporters of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and other influential figures, in violation of regulations through document forgery.
Previously, the ED faced a setback when the Dharwad Bench of Karnataka High Court, led by Justice M. Nagaprasanna, on Monday, halted the summons issued by the ED to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's wife, B.M. Parvathi, and Minister for Urban Development, Byrathi Suresh, regarding the MUDA land scam.
The Bench raised concerns about the urgency of the ED's actions, questioning, 'What is the tearing hurry?' while delivering the order.
CM Siddaramaiah's wife, Parvathi, named as the second accused in the case, was summoned to appear before the ED on Tuesday (January 28). Minister Byrathi Suresh, a close associate of the CM, was due to appear before ED officials on Monday. The High Court has granted a stay on the ED's summons until February 10.
Nonetheless, in a setback for CM Siddaramaiah, the ED provisionally attached 14 immovable properties valued at approximately Rs 300 crore under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, concerning the MUDA scam on January 17.
CM Siddaramaiah is the primary accused in the case, with investigations also targeting others involved in the illegal allotments facilitated by MUDA. His wife, B.M. Parvathi, holds the position of the second accused.
“The involvement of former MUDA commissioner D.B. Natesh has been identified as crucial in the illegal allocation of compensation sites to CM Siddaramaiah’s wife, B.M. Parvathi,” stated the ED.
Searches conducted during the investigation have unveiled that a significant number of sites, beyond the 14 sites allocated to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s wife, B.M. Parvathi, were illegally distributed by MUDA as compensation to real estate entrepreneurs, who subsequently sold these sites at a considerable profit, generating substantial unaccounted cash, as per the ED.
