In a significant relief for Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the Karnataka High Court on Friday quashed the Enforcement Directorate summons issued to his wife, Parvathi Siddaramaiah, and Urban Development Minister Byrathi Suresh in connection with the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) case.
The ruling was delivered by Justice M. Nagaprasanna, who also dismissed a plea demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation probe, stating that it was unnecessary since another agency, the Lokayukta, was already conducting an inquiry.
High Court’s Ruling
The High Court’s decision followed the submission of an interim 8,000-page B Report by Karnataka Lokayukta SP Udesh on Thursday. The report declared the case “not actionable,” paving the way for a final report to be submitted to the competent court.
According to the Lokayukta, the allegations against the accused were either civil in nature, outside the purview of criminal investigation, or based on misinterpretations of legal provisions. Earlier, the Karnataka Lokayukta Police had also issued a notice to the complainant, Snehamayi Krishna, stating that the allegations in the MUDA case lacked sufficient evidence.
Political Reactions
Following the High Court’s ruling, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar lashed out at the BJP and JD(S), accusing them of using the MUDA issue for political gains.
“I had said long back when BJP and JDS took out a padayatra from Bengaluru to Mysuru that it was a politically motivated ploy. When there is no signature of CM Siddaramaiah on any of the documents, where is the question of his involvement?” Shivakumar told reporters at his Sadashivanagar residence on February 20.
Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge defended the CM, stating, “Lokayukta is an independent investigative agency… if they have given a clean chit to the CM, I welcome that. CM has already said that there was no scam and no involvement of any family members, which has been proved in the investigation. We are not here to satisfy the BJP. The same Lokayukta gave a clean chit to the BJP in many cases, and at that time, they were fine with it.”
Key Takeaways
The Karnataka High Court quashed the ED summons to Parvathi Siddaramaiah and Minister Byrathi Suresh.
The CBI probe request was dismissed as the Lokayukta was already investigating the case.
The Lokayukta’s 8,000-page report found the allegations not actionable and lacking substantial evidence.
BJP and JD(S) were accused of politicizing the issue for electoral gains.
The ruling puts an end to speculation surrounding CM Siddaramaiah’s involvement in the case, reinforcing his claim that there was no scam and no wrongdoing by his family members.
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