Bengaluru: The Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is facing an investigation initiated by the Lokayukta in connection with the land Kumbhakona case related to the Mysuru Development Authority (MDA). The Bengaluru court, which handles criminal cases against MPs and MLAs, has ordered the Lokayukta investigation. The Mysuru Lokayukta police are required to investigate the case, with a report to be submitted by December 24.
The Karnataka High Court dismissed a petition filed by Siddaramaiah questioning Governor Thawarchand Gehlot’s decision to grant permission to prosecute him in a corruption case. The ruling was made by a bench of Justice Nagaprasanna. The Governor’s approval to prosecute the Chief Minister was based on Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act of 1988 and Section 218 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita of 2023, which the High Court upheld.
The corruption allegations are related to a scheme for land acquisition where land was allocated in exchange for the land being taken. Land worth crores was allegedly transferred to prominent individuals rather than the rightful owners. The land involved was a three-acre plot in Kesare, Mysuru, owned by Siddaramaiah’s wife, B.M. Parvathi, which was acquired by the MDA. In exchange, a plot of 38,283 square feet was allocated in the Kannaiah area of Vijayanagar. Siddaramaiah pointed out that the land was allocated to his wife by the BJP government in 2021. The complaints against Siddaramaiah were filed by Malayali individuals T.J. Abraham, Pradeep Kumar, and Snehamayi Krishna.
