KARNATAKA: A petition has been submitted to the Karnataka High Court requesting a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah concerning the alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam.
Advocate Vasant Kumar, representing activist Snehamayi Krishna, said they have filed a writ petition, urging the High Court to direct a CBI investigation for a fair inquiry into the matter. "We have filed a writ petition requesting that the MUDA case be handed over to the CBI. The hearing is set for Monday. We have also referred to the recent Special Court order highlighting that MUDA is a significant scam, which is why we are pushing for a CBI investigation," Kumar said.
Earlier, a Special Court in Bengaluru directed the Karnataka Lokayukta to investigate Siddaramaiah over allegations of illegalities in allotting 14 sites worth Rs 56 crore to his wife, Parvathi, by MUDA. The Lokayukta's Mysuru district police are tasked with conducting the investigation and submitting a report within three months. This order followed the Karnataka High Court's decision to vacate an interim stay granted earlier, allowing the Special Court to proceed with the complaints against Siddaramaiah.
Despite the BJP's demands for his resignation, Siddaramaiah has refused to step down. He pointed out that FIRs are also filed against Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and others related to the electoral bond issue, arguing that if he were to resign, then they should also do the same.
Citing Section 17A, Siddaramaiah said, "As per the Special Court's order, they have been directed to conduct an inquiry and file an FIR within three months. There is also an FIR against Nirmala Sitharaman in connection with the electoral bond issue; if she needs to resign, why shouldn't they all? Let them resign first; in my case, the Special Court has ordered an inquiry and report within three months."
Siddaramaiah further demanded the resignation of PM Modi and HD Kumaraswamy, highlighting their alleged involvement in the electoral bond issue. "Let them first take the resignation of HD Kumaraswamy and others. Even Modi needs to resign over the misuse of electoral bonds. They have looted in the name of the electoral bond; let them resign first," Siddaramaiah said.
The case centers on allegations against Siddaramaiah for illegal allotment of 14 sites by MUDA, raising significant questions about governance and accountability in the state.
BJP Calls for Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah's Resignation Amid MUDA Scam Allegations