High Court adjourns hearing on plea seeking CBI probe into MUDA scam

BENGALURU: The Karnataka High Court has adjourned to January 27 further hearing on a petition seeking a CBI investigation into the MUDA land scam, in which Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his family members are accused.

The petitioner, social activist Snehamayi Krishna, alleged that original documents related to the scam have gone missing from the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) office.

Justice M Nagaprasanna directed the Lokayukta to submit its investigation report by January 27, while also allowing the petitioner to file objections.

The petitioner’s lawyer, Maninder Singh, alleged that politicians are involved in the case and that the police investigation is not transparent. “The Lokayukta probe cannot be fair. Three police officials are involved in the investigation. Some important documents have gone missing from the MUDA office”, he claimed.

The ED officials also investigated the case when the scam came to light. Lawyer Singh also alleged that the chief minister’s wife Parvathi had returned sites after the Lokayukta began its investigation and that an IAS officer had visited MUDA office and taken away documents.

Justice Nagaprasanna asked the petitioner’s lawyer if he would object to the Lokayukta’s investigation report and granted time to file objections. The judge directed the Lokayukta to continue its investigation until the next hearing.