Mon Sep 30 14:26:08 UTC 2024: ## Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Faces ED Case in MUDA Scam
**Bengaluru:** Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is facing more trouble in the ongoing MUDA scam. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has registered a money laundering case against him in connection with the alleged irregularities in land dealings.
The ED’s action comes after the Karnataka Lokayukta registered an FIR against Siddaramaiah, his wife Parvati, and brother-in-law Mallikarjun Swami. The Lokayukta’s FIR accuses Siddaramaiah of being the primary accused in the scam, alleging that he misused his position to manipulate land deals.
The MUDA scam centers around allegations of irregularities in the allocation of land by the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA). The scam gained notoriety when allegations arose that Siddaramaiah’s wife received ancestral land that was subsequently transferred to MUDA, which then allocated more valuable land in exchange.
The Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot had previously ordered Siddaramaiah to appear before the Lokayukta for questioning. However, the Karnataka High Court rejected Siddaramaiah’s plea challenging the Governor’s order.
The ED investigation will delve into the financial transactions related to the MUDA land deals, potentially adding another layer of complexity to the case. This development has further escalated the political tension in Karnataka, with opposition parties intensifying their calls for Siddaramaiah’s resignation.
First Piper 