CM’s brother-in-law’s late evening visit to Lokayukta office in Mysuru raises eyebrows

MYSURU: In a curious turn of events, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s brother-in-law Mallikarjuna Swamy, who is the third accused in the MUDA site allotment case, visited the Lokayukta SP’s office here on Tuesday late evening though no notice had been issued to him. He again visited the office on Wednesday morning, but refused to answer any queries from media persons.

Mallikarjuna Swamy entered the Lokayukta SP’s office around 7.30 pm and stayed for about half an hour during which time he met the Lokayukta SP and investigating officer T J Udesh. Mallikarjuna Swamy visited the office about half an hour after former MUDA commissioner Natesh had left following his questioning, raising doubts.

Mallikarjuna Swamy visited the Lokayukta SP’s office again on Wednesday morning, but didn’t respond to queries.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the then Mysuru assistant deputy commissioner (ADC) and former former IAS officer S Palaiah, presented himself for inquiry at the Lokayukta office for the second time. It was during Palaiah’s tenure that Devaraj, had sold the Kesare land to Mallikarjuna Swamy, brother of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s wife B M Parvathi.

Then ADC and MUDA commissioner Palaiah at the Lokayukta SP’s office on Wednesday.

After the inquiry, Palaiah told media persons, “Siddaramaiah’s wife Parvathi had sent a memorandum by post when I was MUDA commissioner. On my earlier visit to the Lokayukta office, I was asked about the land. At that time, I was posted at the deputy commissioner’s office. Today, they had called to question me about MUDA and I provided all information. If I am called again, I will appear before the investigators”, he said.