ED arrests former MUDA commissioner Dines Kumar, unearths assets worth crores

BENGALURU: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) former Commissioner G T Dinesh Kumar in connection with a site allotment scam.

He was taken into custody after being questioned by ED officials and was produced before a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Bengaluru. The central agency found documents of propeties worth crores of ruppes and anonymous properties in his possession.

Dinesh Kumar had purchased a 3BHK apartment in Hebbal’s Kempapura for Rs 3.5 crore. He had also bought properties worth crores in his wife’s and relative’s names.

The ED investigation revealed that Dinesh Kumar had allocated sites irregularly during his tenure as commissioner. Allegations include allocating over 1,000 sites illegally and giving preferential treatment to certain individuals, including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s wife, B M Parvathi. He sanctioned layouts of 120 sites without any documents, and allegedly made crores of money in the name of his brother-in-law.

The ED officials interrogated Dinesh Kumar and produced him in court, after digging up more about the benami transactions and site allocations.

The ED alleges that Dinesh Kumar was involved in largescale illegal allotments of MUDA sites during his tenure as commissioner in exchange for “gratification and pecuniary benefits”. Investigations have revealed his active involvement in money laundering activities and corruption, and the agency is now focused on tracing the trail of illicit funds generated through the alleged scam.

The MUDA scam case involving Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has gained momentum again. The Lokayukta police had sought permission from the government to investigate Dinesh Kumar, and the government had ordered an investigation. The case has been pending for some time, with the court expressing dissatisfaction over the lack of progress in the investigation.

The complainant, Snehamayi Krishna, had approached the court seeking action against Dinesh Kumar. The court has adjourned the hearing to September 29. Meanwhile, the ED has attached properties belonging to Dinesh Kumar.

The ED has found evidence of Dinesh Kumar’s involvement in these activities, including documents and bank transactions. The agency has also found that Dinesh Kumar created fake documents to reallocate sites and make a profit.

The investigation has revealed that Dinesh Kumar’s illegal activities have caused a loss of at least Rs 100 crore. The case stems from an FIR registered by the Karnataka Lokayukta Police, which named Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, his family members, and others linked to alleged irregularities in land allotments.