Karnataka HC Continues Lokayukta's Probe Into MUDA Case Involving CM Siddaramaiah, Calls For Record Of Probe Done Till Today

The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday (January 15) continued Lokayukta's investigation into the alleged Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) "scam" involving Chief Minister Siddaramaiah while directing the probe will be overseen by the Inspector General of Police, Lokayukta. 

The court also directed the anti-corruption authority to file on record the details of the probe conducted till today. The court said this while hearing a plea seeking a direction to transfer investigation into the alleged MUDA scam involving Chief Minister Siddaramaiah presently being conducted by the Lokayukta police to the CBI. This development comes after the high court had in December last year deferred the filing of the Lokayukta's report against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his family, including his wife and brother-in-law in the MUDA scam case.

After hearing the matter for some time, Justice M Nagaprasanna while dictating the order said, "Heard all. The Ld Sr Counsel Maninder Singh for petitioner refers to additional affidavit. Sr counsel Prof Ravivarma Kumar says pleadings are yet to be completed. Therefore objections filed be exchanged between the parties. Lokayukta to place on record the details of investigation conducted till today. The investigation by Lokayukta shall continue. The investigation will be overseen by the IG of Police of Lokayukta. Report if any shall be filed on next date be perused by him. Report shall be filed a day in advance of the next date of hearing. Pleading shall be completed by next date".

During the hearing, Senior Advocate Maninder Singh appearing for the petitioner said that a suspect or potential accused cannot be made a party. At this stage the court orally said that the submissions be confined to whether the investigation can be transferred to CBI or not. 

Singh thereafter said, "Investigation must be fair and independent and must inspire confidence. If higher police officials and politicians are involved courts have felt reasonable discretion is to be exercised. Some committees of bureaucrats have taken the records of the case from the Lokayukta".

To this court orally asked, "Which officers? The records should be filed by today evening". To this the advocate for the Lokayukta said that he shall filed the records by tomorrow, and the court permitted the same. 

Meanwhile Singh said, "R10 (Wife of CM) has expressed to surrender the sites. If any common citizen is to get land it is difficult. A surrender is offered on the same day the entire state machinery passed get together and an order on the same day is passed accepting it. Kindly see the records have been taken away".

The court thereafter orally asked as to who has taken away the records. At this stage senior advocate Professor Ravivarma Kumar appearing for the CM said, "The records are with the court now". 

Singh however said, "If the office of Lokayukta is to conduct the inquiry, it does not inspire confidence that IAS officers take the files". 

The court thereafter asked, "Does this concern this particular allotment, it concerns the entire functioning of MUDA". 

Singh however submitted, "I am on the approach milords. No inquiry worth has taken place". To this the court said, "Now anyway they have filed their objections. Exchange the objections". 

At this stage Kumar said that "absolutely irrelevant submissions" were being made. To this senior advocate Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi also appearing for the CM said, "What is the purpose of these arguments". 

Pursuant to the arguments the court directed the Lokyukta to continue the probe further directing it to file a report a day in advance before the date of hearing. Kumar said that the deadline set before the trial court to submit report is January 28. 

To this the court orally said that it shall peruse the papers and then decide the issue, listing the matter for further hearing on January 27.

Case Title: Snehamayi Krishna AND Union of India & Others

Case No: WP 27484/2024