‘Lokayukta independent, like CBI,’ says Siddaramaiah as BJP pushes for CBI probe into MUDA scam

Mysuru (Karnataka) [India], November 6 (ANI): Amid growing opposition demand for a CBI probe into the MUDA scam, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said the Lokayukta is an independent agency like the CBI and he has answered all the questions posed by the Lokayukta.
Earlier today Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah appeared before Lokayukta Police in Mysuru for an inquiry over the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam.
Speaking to reporters after his questioning Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah said, "Lokayukta is an independent agency, like CBI. I have answered all the questions asked by the Lokayukta, and my responses have been recorded. They will proceed with further investigation. My wife has returned those sites saying that there are accusations against me."
Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge on Wednesday defended Chief Minister Siddaramaiah amid yjr MUDA scam probe, questioning why the CM should resign when the state BJP president faces an ED case and has not resigned.
Speaking to ANI, Priyank Kharge said, "Why should the CM resign? State BJP president has an ED case against him. ECR has been registered. Has he resigned? It is a very serious offence...This is politically motivated, everybody knows it...CM has said clearly that this is politically motivated, he is a law-abiding citizen and he will do whatever the Constitutional institutions have asked him to do. He is sure that he is going to come out of this."
The Mysuru Lokayukta officially has initiated an inquiry into the MUDA scam case following a September 27 court order to file an FIR. The Lokayukta was directed to investigate allegations of illegalities in the allotment of 14 sites worth Rs 56 crore to Siddaramaiah's wife, Parvathi. It is alleged that MUDA illegally allotted these sites to the Chief Minister's wife in a prime location in Mysuru city.
The ED has also filed a money laundering case against Siddaramaiah and others. This case was prompted by a First Information Report (FIR) from the state Lokayukta concerning the MUDA, placing the Karnataka Chief Minister 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 has applied provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in its case, allowing the agency to summon individuals for questioning and possibly seize assets during the investigation.
Siddaramaiah has consistently denied the allegations, claiming that he is facing political persecution. He has stated that he will not resign, despite ongoing demands from the BJP for him to leave his position as head of government.
As the allegations surfaced, the BJP has accused the Congress of supporting "corrupt" leaders and has demanded Siddaramaiah's resignation. However, Siddaramaiah has quashed all demands for his resignation.
On Tuesday, the Karnataka High Court issued notices to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and others on a petition seeking the transfer of the investigation into the MUDA land allotment case registered against the Chief Minister, his wife, and others.
In a petition filed by Snehamayi Krishna, the court also issued notices to the Central and State governments, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and the Lokayukta police. The High Court directed the Lokayukta police to submit details of the probe conducted until November 25 while adjourning further hearings on the petition until November 26. (ANI)