A special court in Bengaluru has issued a stern directive to the Lokayukta police, expressing clear dissatisfaction with the delay in concluding its investigation into the high-profile Muda scam case. The court has now mandated the anti-corruption agency to submit its final report by December 23. This order comes in response to a protest petition challenging the clean chit previously given to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, his wife Parvati, and two other individuals.
Protest Petition Challenges Lokayukta's 'B Report'
The court's intervention was triggered by a protest petition filed by Mysuru-based activist Snehamayi Krishna. Krishna challenged the 'B report' submitted by the Lokayukta police, which had cited a lack of evidence and effectively given a clean chit to the accused. The activist argued that the investigation was flawed and contained serious loopholes that led to the exoneration of the Chief Minister, his wife Parvathi, her brother Mallikarjuna Swamy, and the original landowner, Devaraju.
In his original complaint to the court last year, Krishna had made a significant allegation. He accused Siddaramaiah and his family of illicitly profiting by a staggering amount of Rs 56 crore. The core of the allegation revolves around a land exchange in 2021, where Parvati Siddaramaiah received 14 housing sites from the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (Muda) in return for 3.16 acres of land that the authority had acquired. Notably, this particular piece of land was gifted to Parvati by her brother back in 2010.
Court Criticises Delay Tactics, Family Returns Sites
Special Judge Santosh Gajanana Bhat, presiding over the court for elected representatives, did not mince words. The judge pointed out that the Lokayukta police had been given ample time to complete their probe and implied that further delays were unacceptable. According to Krishna, who spoke to the media, the judge's remarks suggested that the Lokayukta was employing delay tactics to shield Siddaramaiah and the other accused from legal scrutiny.
An important development in this case occurred after the special court initially directed a probe into the matter. Following this judicial order, Siddaramaiah's family members returned the controversial housing sites to Muda. This action took place while the investigation was ongoing, adding another layer to the complex legal and political narrative surrounding the allegations.
What Happens Next?
All eyes are now on the Lokayukta police as the December 23 deadline approaches. The agency must compile and present its final investigation report to the special court, which will then decide on the merits of the protest petition and the future course of the case. The outcome is being closely watched, as it involves serious corruption allegations against the sitting Chief Minister of Karnataka and his immediate family, making it a politically sensitive issue with significant implications.
The court's firm stance against perceived delays underscores the judiciary's role in ensuring accountability, even in cases involving high-ranking public officials. The next few weeks will be crucial in determining whether the protest petition holds water and if the Lokayukta's findings will face renewed judicial examination.
