Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah To Face Lokayukta Inquiry In MUDA Case Today: Know About The Land 'Scam'

The land 'scam' allegations against Karnataka CM stems on the allocation of 14 prime plots to Siddaramaiah’s wife, Parvathi BM, by MUDA under a compensatory scheme.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is scheduled to appear before the Lokayukta police in Mysuru on Wednesday (November 6) in connection with the alleged irregularities in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment case.

The Lokayukta police had previously issued a summon to the Chief Minister seeking clarification over his involvement in the controversial allotment of compensatory sites. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Siddaramaiah confirmed his attendance, saying, "I’m going tomorrow at 10 am." He is listed as the primary accused in the case.

Others named in the FIR include Siddaramaiah's wife Parvathi, his brother-in-law, Mallikarjuna Swamy, and Devaraju, from whom Swamy had reportedly acquired the original land. Both Swamy and Devaraju have already provided statements to the Lokayukta in connection with the case. Parvathi BM was also questioned by the Lokayukta on October 25 as part of the ongoing investigation.

What MUDA 'Scam'

The allegations center on the allocation of 14 prime plots to Siddaramaiah’s wife, Parvathi BM, by MUDA under a compensatory scheme. These plots, located in the highly valued Vijayanagar Layout, are alleged to have been allotted in exchange for 3.16 acres of land she owned which MUDA had acquired for development.  It is alleged that the compensatory plots were allotted in a 50:50 ratio to Parvathi.

In 2010, the land under discussion was reportedly gifted to Parvathi by her brother Mallikarjuna Swamy. After MUDA "acquired" the land, Parvathi filed a request for compensation in June 2014, during Siddaramaiah's tenure as Chief Minister.

Reports indicate that in 2017, MUDA proposed to allocate an alternative site to Parvathi. She submitted another petition in 2021, requesting the alternative site, and in January 2022, she was allotted 14 plots. The government subsequently scrapped the 50:50 scheme in October 2023. In July 2024, Siddaramaiah requested compensation of Rs 62 crore asserting that the land had been unjustly acquired.

The Siddaramaiah administration then established a one-man inquiry commission in July 2024 to investigate potential irregularities in the process.