The Karnataka High Court on Thursday issued notices to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the Lokayukta police, and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a petition challenging the closure of the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) land allotment case.
Petition challenges closure report
The notice was issued by Justice S. Sunil Dutt Yadav while hearing a petition filed by activist Snehamayi Krishna, who is also the complainant in the case. The petition contests a January 28 order by a special court in Bengaluru, which accepted the Lokayukta police’s closure report citing lack of sufficient evidence.
Allegations in the MUDA case
The case involves alleged irregularities in land allotments by the Mysore Urban Development Authority. The complaint accused Siddaramaiah of misusing his official position to benefit his wife, BM Parvathi.
According to the allegations, Parvathi received a plot that was reportedly developed illegally. After raising a complaint, she was allegedly granted compensation in the form of 14 developed plots—significantly higher in value than the original land.
Earlier developments
The Lokayukta police had filed a closure report stating that there was insufficient evidence to establish corruption charges against Siddaramaiah, his wife, and others. The special court accepted this report but allowed the probe to continue against some other accused.
Earlier, the Karnataka Governor had sanctioned prosecution in the case, a move challenged by Siddaramaiah. However, the High Court had rejected his plea in September 2024.
What happens next
With notices now issued, the High Court will hear responses from all parties before deciding whether the closure of the case should be reconsidered.