Fri Sep 27 16:25:28 UTC 2024: ## Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah Faces Corruption Charges in Land Scam
**Mysuru, Karnataka:** Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has been named as the first accused in a corruption case linked to land allocation by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA). The case was registered on Friday by the state anti-corruption body following a court order directing the Lokayukta police to investigate allegations of irregularities in land deals involving his wife, Parvathi.
The FIR alleges that Parvathi was allocated premium properties by the MUDA in violation of norms. The accusations claim that the MUDA acquired a parcel of land owned by Parvathi and compensated her with higher-value plots. The BJP-led Opposition and activists have accused Siddaramaiah and his wife of benefiting from this illegal deal, estimating the alleged irregularities to be worth Rs 4,000 crore.
The complaint, filed by RTI activist Snehamayi Krishna, alleges that Parvathi was allotted compensatory plots in a prime Mysuru area with higher property values compared to her land acquired by the MUDA. It also alleges that she had no legal title to the 3.16 acres of land in Kasare village in Mysuru.
Siddaramaiah has vehemently denied the allegations, stating that the land deal was conducted as per regulations and there were no irregularities. He dismissed the Opposition’s calls for his resignation and claimed he was being targeted politically.
“This is the first time a political case has been registered against me,” said Siddaramaiah, accusing the central government of misusing central agencies against opposition-ruled states.
This development poses a major legal challenge for the Congress leader and is likely to intensify political tensions in the state ahead of the upcoming elections. The Lokayukta police are now set to investigate the allegations against Siddaramaiah and his wife.