MUDA Scam Update: CM Siddaramaiah's Wife Served ED Notice
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Synopsis
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has confirmed that his wife, B.M. Parvathi, received a notice from the Enforcement Directorate concerning the ongoing MUDA scam case. The case involves significant allegations of illegal property allotments and misuse of political influence, with the ED taking serious action against the involved parties.
Key Takeaways
- ED Notice: CM Siddaramaiah's wife B.M. Parvathi received a notice related to the MUDA scam.
- Legal Proceedings: The CM's family has approached the High Court for relief against the ED notice.
- Property Seizures: The ED has provisionally attached properties worth approximately Rs 300 crore linked to the case.
- Investigation Scope: The ED's inquiry includes potential illegal allotments by MUDA.
- Allegations Denied: Siddaramaiah has rejected claims of illegal allotments.
Bengaluru, Jan 27 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah, confirmed on Monday that his spouse, B.M. Parvathi, has received a notice from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) regarding the MUDA scam case.
In response to a media inquiry, the CM stated, “Yes. She has received a notice.”
The Enforcement Directorate has sent a notice to Parvathi, identified as the second accused in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam. Additionally, the ED has issued a notice to Urban Development Minister Byrathi Suresh, a close associate of CM Siddaramaiah.
According to sources, the notice was issued to Parvathi under Section 50 of the Prevention of Money Laundering (PMLA) Act. The notification, signed by senior ED officer Murali Kannan, requests her presence before the ED officials on January 28 (Tuesday).
It has come to light that this marks the second notice to CM Siddaramaiah's wife Parvathi from the ED. During the first instance, she had requested a two-week deferment, citing health issues, age, and her inability to attend in person. She also requested to appear via an online platform. However, the ED did not accommodate these requests.
Given the potential for the ED to take legal action against CM Siddaramaiah’s wife Parvathi this time, the CM's family has sought relief from the High Court to challenge the ED notice.
Parvathi's attorney has urged the High Court to prioritize the petition as an emergency case. The court has agreed to hear the petition on Monday.
Simultaneously, the High Court is addressing a petition calling for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the MUDA scam.
CM Siddaramaiah is the primary accused in the MUDA case, which includes investigations into others involved in illegal allotments conducted by MUDA.
In a significant development for the Chief Minister, the ED, Bengaluru Zonal Office has provisionally seized 142 properties valued at approximately Rs 300 crore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, linked to the MUDA scam.
The ED noted, “The involvement of former MUDA commissioner D.B. Natesh has been critical in the unauthorized allotment of compensation sites to B.M. Parvathi.” This statement was made on January 17.
Further investigations revealed that numerous sites, beyond the 14 allotted to the Chief Minister's wife, were improperly allocated by MUDA as compensation to real estate developers, who subsequently sold these sites for profit, generating substantial unaccounted cash.
Petitioner Snehamayi Krishna has claimed that the illegal allotments made by MUDA amount to several thousand crores.
The ED asserted that the profits generated were laundered and presented as originating from legitimate sources.
“Investigations also uncovered that sites were allocated in the names of benamis/dummy persons to benefit influential individuals and real estate operators. Incriminating evidence regarding illegal payments to the then MUDA chairman and commissioner in the form of properties, MUDA sites, cash, etc., has been recovered,” stated the ED.
“The seized properties are registered under various names, who are engaged in real estate business and agency,” the ED added.
The ED commenced its investigation based on an FIR filed by the Lokayuktha Police Mysuru under multiple sections of the IPC, 1860, and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 against Siddaramaiah and other parties.
It is alleged that Siddaramaiah leveraged his political influence to secure compensation for 14 sites in his wife B.M. Parvathi’s name in exchange for three acres and 16 guntas of land appropriated by MUDA.
The land was originally acquired by MUDA at a cost of Rs 3.24 lakh. The compensation comprising 14 sites in the upscale Vijayanagar locality in Mysuru is valued at around Rs 56 crore.
The ED has also uncovered that funds were funneled through a cooperative society for the acquisition of properties, luxury vehicles, etc., under the names of relatives of G.T. Dinesh Kumar, the former MUDA commissioner.
Further investigations are ongoing.
Previously, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has categorically denied the allegations of illicit allotments. His wife, Parvathi, had returned the 14 allotted sites to MUDA.
