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MUDA scam: Social activist Snehamayi Krishna appears before ED; produce evidence against Siddaramaiah

The ED's money laundering case stems from Lokayukta's FIR against Siddaramaiah, his wife Parvathi and a few others

Security personnel frisk social activist Snehamayi Krishna at ED office in Bengaluru | ANI

Social activist Snehamayi Krishna, who petitioned against Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his Parvathi in connection with irregularities in MUDA, appeared before the Enforcement Directorate on Thursday. The central agency registered a money laundering case against CM based on Lokayukta’s FIR on Monday.

The central agency had summoned Snehamayi Krishna, the Mysuru-based RTI activist to its Bengaluru office to record his statement in connection with the probe into alleged MUDA scam. Reportedly, besides Lokayukta, Snehamayi Krishna had also petitioned with ED in connection with the case.

"They (ED) have summoned me. I am going to submit whatever documents they have asked for," Krishna told reporters before leaving for the ED office, PTI reported. In his complaint, Krishna alleged that the allotment of 14 sites to Siddaramaiah's wife by the MUDA is derived from "criminal activity".

The central agency on Monday registered an ECIR against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over the alleged irregularities in allotment of 14 sites to his wife Parvathi by the MUDA (Mysuru Urban Development Authority). Siddaramaiah had questioned ED’s involvement in the case and said the alleged charges do not attract provisions under PMLA. “I don't know on what grounds it's a money laundering case. Probably you too feel the same. According to me, it does not attract the money laundering case because compensatory sites were given. So, how is it a money laundering case?” the CM had said.

MUDA or  Mysuru Urban Development Authority is one of Karnataka’s first urban planning and development bodies. According to reports, allegedly, gross irregularities have been reported in the allotment of residential sites to land losers as compensation.

Allegedly, the authority allotted 14 compensatory sites to Siddaramaiah’s wife Parvathi in Mysuru’s upmarket area as compensation for her land acquired for developing a residential layout. MUDA reportedly acquired 3.16 acres of her land for development. The sites were allotted to Parvathi under a 50:50 ratio scheme. However, it is alleged that the chief minister’s wife had no legal title over the acquired land in Kasaba Hobli of Mysuru taluk.