RAICHUR: Congress MP G Kumar Nayak was interrogated by Lokayukta police in the MUDA site allocation case. “It is true that the interrogation lasted for two hours”, he said, adding, “I was the district deputy commissioner of Mysuru from 2002 to 2005. I served in Mysuru for three years”.
Nayak then explained that the land in question was converted at the end of 2005 and mentioned that the complaint suggests a mistake by the district commissioners. The Congress leader added, “I don’t know whether the complainant has full knowledge about the law and whether he has all-dimensional awareness”.
During his interrogation with the Enforcement Directorate (ED), he elaborated on the land conversion process. “There is no mistake in the land conversion done. In 1997-98, that land was acquired, and the land was notified in stages”, he said. Nayak also emphasised that there was “no pressure on us during land conversion at all”.
Earlier, in the day, Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara too responded to the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) summons of Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) officers, underlining that it is premature to draw conclusions. He also noted that the investigation process is ongoing and urged patience as the ED conducts its inquiries and gathers feedback.
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— ANI (@ANI) October 25, 2024
“It is too early for us to conclude anything. It’s a process going on, and you know they have issued notices. They probably inquire into that. You know they investigate. They get their opinions and feedback ultimately. Let us see, let us wait and see what happens”, Parameshwara said.
Meanwhile, sources confirmed that the ED summoned six employees linked to the MUDA for questioning. These employees are scheduled for interrogation on different dates at the ED’s zonal office in Bengaluru. They have been asked to bring various documents related to the case. The investigators are looking for evidence connected to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and other officials associated with him.
This action comes shortly after the ED filed a money-laundering case against Siddaramaiah and others. The case was prompted by a First Information Report (FIR) from the state Lokayukta concerning the MUDA, which has placed the Congress leader in a difficult situation.
The FIR names Siddaramaiah, his wife BM Parvathi, his brother-in-law Mallikarjuna Swamy, and Devaraju, from whom Swamy bought land that was later gifted to Parvathi. The ED is applying the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in its investigation, allowing the agency to summon individuals for questioning and potentially seize assets during the process.
Siddaramaiah has denied the allegations, claiming he is facing political persecution. He has stated that he will not resign from his position as Chief Minister, receiving support from his party leaders despite ongoing demands from the BJP for him to step down.(ANI)