Karnataka HC Issues Notice to CM Siddaramaiah’s Wife in MUDA Land Scam, Hearing Adjourned to September 4

In a significant development in the controversial MUDA site allotment case, the Karnataka High Court has issued notices to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s wife B.M. Parvathi, her brother B.M. Mallikarjunaswamy, the Director General of Police, and the Inspector of Vijayanagar Police Station, Mysuru.

A Division Bench consisting of Acting Chief Justice V. Kameshwara Rao and Justice C.M. Joshi passed the order while hearing multiple appeals related to the case.

The original complaint was filed by social activist Snehamayi Krishna, who has demanded a CBI investigation into the alleged irregular allocation of 14 MUDA plots to Parvathi.

Court Seeks Response from Key Parties

During the proceedings, it was revealed that notices had not yet been served to several crucial respondents, including Parvathi and her brother.

The court has now ordered that notices and hand summons be delivered to all involved parties and adjourned the hearing to September 4.

The case forms part of a larger legal and political controversy surrounding land allotments by the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA).

The Governor of Karnataka, Thawarchand Gehlot, had previously granted sanction to prosecute Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in connection with the scam. However, this order was stayed by a Single Bench of the High Court on September 24, 2024.

Siddaramaiah Challenges Stay on Governor’s Order

Following the stay, Siddaramaiah filed an appeal arguing that the sanction for prosecution was politically motivated. Four related appeals are currently pending before the Division Bench.

Activist Snehamayi Krishna continues to press for a CBI inquiry, claiming that only an independent agency can fairly investigate the state’s top executive.

The issuance of notices has reenergized opposition demands for the Chief Minister’s resignation. The Congress, meanwhile, maintains that the land allotments followed due process and dismisses the accusations as politically driven.

MUDA Scam: The Core Allegations

The MUDA scam involves allegations of irregularities in the distribution of compensatory sites. At the center of the issue is a 3.2-acre parcel of land gifted to Parvathi by her brother in 2010.

When MUDA acquired the land, Parvathi applied for compensation and was allotted 14 plots, allegedly of greater value than the original land.

Opposition leaders claim that the scam could be worth between ₹3,000 crore to ₹4,000 crore. They argue that the compensatory plots were not only excessive but also allocated in violation of existing norms.

Enforcement Directorate Investigation and ED Action

Last month, the Enforcement Directorate provisionally attached 92 properties linked to the case.

These properties are estimated to have a market value of ₹100 crore. The ED’s investigation revealed that several illegal allotments had taken place through the manipulation of statutes, government orders, and guidelines.

According to reports, bribes were collected in various forms, including cash, bank transactions, and even movable and immovable assets.

The ED stated that these illegal transactions were part of a broader scheme involving large-scale corruption in MUDA’s site allotments.

Ongoing Legal Proceedings and Political Ramifications

The Karnataka High Court heard the appeal filed by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah challenging the Governor’s decision to permit an investigation.

The hearing has now been postponed to September 4, as the court awaits responses from newly served parties.

Meanwhile, the controversy continues to pose challenges for the Congress government in Karnataka. Despite denials of wrongdoing, the matter has become a focal point for opposition criticism.

Previous Raids and FIRs Filed

As part of the larger probe, the Karnataka Lokayukta conducted raids on January 31, 2025, across multiple locations including Bengaluru, Belagavi, Chitradurga, Raichur, and Bagalkote.

The Lokayukta Police in Mysore had earlier filed a First Information Report under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The FIR named Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and others, laying the groundwork for the current legal battle. Investigative agencies have since continued to collect evidence, adding to the case’s complexity and public interest.

Looking Ahead: Crucial September Hearing

The next court hearing, scheduled for September 4, is expected to be crucial. The Division Bench will likely determine whether the CBI should take over the investigation and whether the Governor’s sanction for prosecution will remain in effect.

With multiple legal threads, high-profile political figures, and serious allegations of corruption, the MUDA land scam remains one of the most closely watched legal and political stories in Karnataka this year.