In connection with the high-profile scam involving the Mysuru Urban Development Authority in Karnataka, the Enforcement Directorate on Friday has summoned 6 MUDA employees for questioning.
The interrogations will occur at the ED’s zonal office in Bengaluru, with each employee summoned on different dates. They have also been instructed to bring various documents related to the case.
The ED’s investigation is particularly focused on gathering evidence linked to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and several officials associated with him.
This move follows the ED’s filing of a money-laundering case against Siddaramaiah and others last month, prompted by a First Information Report (FIR) from the state Lokayukta concerning the MUDA, which has put the Congress leader in a difficult position.
The FIR names several individuals, including Siddaramaiah, his wife B.M. Parvathi, and his brother-in-law Mallikarjuna Swamy, along with Devaraju, from whom Swamy purchased land that was later gifted to Parvathi.
In its case, the ED has invoked provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), allowing the agency to summon individuals for questioning and potentially seize assets during the investigation.
Siddaramaiah has vehemently denied the allegations, asserting that he is a victim of political persecution. He has stated that he will not resign, a stance supported by his party leaders, despite ongoing calls from the BJP for him to step down from his position as the head of the government.
As the investigation progresses, the scrutiny surrounding Siddaramaiah and the involved officials is likely to intensify, further complicating the political landscape in Karnataka.
The outcomes of the ED’s inquiries and any subsequent legal actions will be pivotal in shaping the future of the state’s governance and the Congress party’s standing in the region.
