BN Parvati, wife of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, has written to MUDA (Mysore Urban Development Authority) offering to return 14 plots. In the letter, Parvati wrote that, along with the return of this plot, I also demand an inquiry into all allegations related to MUDA.
Earlier on September 30, the ED had registered a money laundering case against Siddaramaiah. The case is related to the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) land scam. The ED has also implicated Siddaramaiah, his wife, brother-in-law and some officials in the case.
CM Siddaramaiah's wife BN Parvati has written this letter to MUDA (Mysore Urban Development Authority). Its Hindi translation is given below.
CM's wife said- women from political families should not be dragged into controversy In a letter sent to MUDA, CM's wife wrote,
Some may ask why such a decision was taken at this time? I took this decision on the same day that the allegations were made. As the allegations regarding MUDA plot allotment are politically motivated, some well-wishers advised that we should fight this injustice and not fall prey to their schemes. That's why I initially held off returning the plot. I appeal to the leaders of all political parties and members of the media. Please don't drag women from political families into controversy. Do not harm their dignity and honor by involving them in political disputes.
CM Siddaramaiah said – Respect the wife's decision to return the plot Amidst the decision to return the wife's plot, CM Siddaramaiah wrote on social media, “Even the people of the state know that opposition parties filed false complaints against me to create political hatred and drag my family into controversy.”
My stand was to fight this injustice without bowing. But my wife, upset with the political conspiracy going on against me, has decided to return this plot. She is a victim of hate politics against me and is facing mental torture. I am sorry for this. However, I respect my wife's decision to return the plot.
The BJP-JDS staged a protest outside the Assembly on Monday demanding Siddaramaiah's resignation.
Siddaramaiah's plea against the probe was dismissed in the High Court Activists TJ Abraham, Pradeep and Snehmoyi Krishna alleged that the Chief Minister connived with MUDA officials to swindle 14 expensive posts.
On September 24, the High Court upheld Governor Thawarchand Gehlot's order to investigate Siddaramaiah in the MUDA scam. Justice M. Nagprasanna rejected Siddaramaiah's plea against the Governor's order.
The court said, 'It is necessary to investigate the matters mentioned in the application. The Chief Minister's family is involved in this case, so the application is dismissed.
On August 16, the Governor approved action against Siddaramaiah under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and Section 218 of the Indian Civil Security Code (BNSS), 2023. The Chief Minister challenged this in the High Court on August 19.
Karnataka Governor's Secretariat has issued a notice to take action against Siddaramaiah.
Siddaramaiah said- Truth will win Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that he is not afraid of facing an inquiry, but will take legal advice on whether an inquiry can be made in the matter. He further said that I believe in law and constitution. In the end truth will prevail.
What is MUDA case? In 1992, the urban development body Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) took land from farmers to develop residential areas. In return, under MUDA's incentive 50:50 scheme, landowners were given 50% of the site in developed land or an alternative Site.
MUDA is accused of allotting Siddaramaiah's wife Parvati 14 plots in a posh area of Mysore in 2022 in exchange for her 3.16 acres of land at Kasare village in Kasaba Hobli, Mysore. The value of these places was much higher than Parvati's land.
However, Parvati had no legal right to this 3.16 acres of land. This land was gifted to her by her brother Mallikarjun in 2010. MUDA developed the Devanur Stage 3 layout without acquiring this land.
BJP and JDS held a seven-day march from Bengaluru to Mysore from August 3 over the MUDA scam. JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy and Karnataka BJP president BY Vijayendra were also present.
What is the charge against Siddaramaiah?
- The Vijayanagar plot that Siddaramaiah's wife received as compensation from MUDA is worth much more than her land in Kasare village.
- Snemayi Krishna filed a complaint against Siddaramaiah. In this he has accused Siddaramaiah of forging documents to claim the MUDA site as family property.
- From 1998 to 2023, Siddaramaiah held influential positions as Deputy CM or CM in Karnataka. Although he was not directly involved in the scandal, he used his power to help those close to him.
- Siddaramaiah's wife Parvathy's brother Mallikarjun had illegally bought 3 acres of denotified land in 2004. In 2004–05, Siddaramaiah was the Deputy CM in the Congress-JDS coalition government in Karnataka.
- The land of the land owners under the scheme has been acquired by MUDA. They have been allotted alternative posts of higher value as compensation. Apart from this, real estate agents have also been given land under this scheme.
- The land allotment scam was exposed by an RTI activist, who said that over 6,000 sites have been allotted under the 50:50 scheme in the last four years.
- BJP MP and Spokesperson Sambit Patra said that this is a scam of 3 thousand to 4 thousand crore rupees. This includes Siddaramaiah's family. Congress is keeping silent on this. Thanks to the Governor who has ordered an inquiry.
Demand for investigation into the scam On July 5, 2024, activist Kurubara Shantakumar wrote a letter to the Governor stating that – The Deputy Commissioner of Mysore has written 17 letters to MUDA between February 8, 2023 and November 9, 2023. On 27 November, a letter was written to the Urban Development Authority, Government of Karnataka regarding the 50:50 ratio scam and the inquiry against the MUDA Commissioner. Regardless, the MUDA Commissioner allocated thousands of sites.
Siddaramaiah said- wife got land in BJP government On the allegations, Siddaramaiah said- In 2014, when I was the CM, the wife applied for compensation. I told my wife not to apply for compensation as long as I am Chief Minister. In 2020-21 when BJP was in government, the wife was allotted compensation land. BJP is trying to make false allegations against me.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
