Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Gets Clean Chit In MUDA Land Scam; Lokayukta Finds No Evidence

Bengaluru: On Wednesday, February 19, the Karnataka anti-corruption watchdog Lokayukta said that there is insufficient evidence to investigate Chief Minister Siddaramaiah or his wife in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) land scam. It added that the allegations against the accused appeared "civil in nature and not suitable for criminal charges," NDTV reported.

In a notice to complainant Snehamayi Krishna, who had sought Siddaramaiah’s prosecution, the Lokayukta confirmed no material evidence was found against him, his wife BM Parvathi, brother-in-law Mallikarjuna Swamy, or Devaraju. The final report has been submitted to the High Court.

As per the report, Krishna has a week to respond before the Lokayukta submits its final report. Meanwhile, land allotments by MUDA between 2016 and 2024, including those to Siddaramaiah's wife BM Parvathi, will remain under scrutiny, with a supplementary report to be filed.

Additionally, the Enforcement Directorate's money laundering case is still ongoing.

What Is the MUDA Land Scam?

The case against CM Siddaramaiah and his wife revolves around the Mysore Urban Development Authority and the allegations of granting excessive alternative plots during land acquisitions for development projects.

Under the 50:50 scheme, launched in 2020 and later halted by Siddaramaiah in 2023, landowners received half of the developed plots while MUDA retained the rest. Activists claim Siddaramaiah’s wife, BM Parvathi, illegally received 14 prime plots in Vijayanagar in 2022.

The controversy centers on a 3.16-acre land in Kesaru village, which was transferred to Siddaramaiah’s brother-in-law in 2005 and later gifted to Parvathi. MUDA later acquired this land and compensated her with alternative plots, allegedly in higher-value areas, raising concerns of unfair advantage.