Karnataka Home Minister Questions ED's Role in MUDA Land Case Involving CM Siddaramaiah's Wife

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], October 1: Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara has criticized the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for its involvement in the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) land allocation case. He questioned why a case was registered under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) despite no financial transactions being involved.

Speaking to the media, Parameshwara expressed confusion over the ED's decision and stated that they need to justify their actions. He mentioned that the wife of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had offered to return the plots to MUDA authorities to avoid tarnishing the CM's image.

"I don't know the decisions of ED to register a PMLA case. As far as I know, there were no financial transactions. There is no benefit out of those transactions, either by CM or CM's wife. In both cases, I don't see any financial transactions. So why or how the ED got involved in this, I don't know. They will have to justify it later," Parameshwara said.

He added, "She has clarified her stand. She returned the plots, as the entire episode has been turned into a political one and it is tarnishing her husband's image. The ED has no role at this point in time. As I said, there is no financial transaction. So PMLA cannot be applicable in this particular case."

Earlier, the ED booked Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah for money laundering in connection with the alleged MUDA land allotment scam. His wife, Parvathi, wrote to the MUDA Commissioner offering to surrender the 14 plots allotted to her.

Today, the Mysuru Lokayukta began an inquiry and investigation into the case following a court order on September 27 to file an FIR. The investigation is focused on allegations of illegalities in the allotment of 14 sites worth Rs 56 crore to Parvathi by MUDA.