ED officials take former MUDA commissioner Natesh into custody as searches continue

BENGALURU, MYSURU: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) officials on Tuesday evening took former MUDA commissioner D B Natesh into custody after 22 hours of questioning and searches at his residence at 11th Cross, Malleswaram. Natesh was taken to the ED’s zonal office at Shantinagar in Bengaluru.

A team of officials checked documents from Monday and had searched four premises linked to Natesh. Fourteen residential sites were allotted to B M Parvathi, wife of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, when he was MUDA commissioner.

Natesh claimed that he had done no wrong. “I have followed the government orders to the T. I am not aware of the developments during the formation of Karthik Layout. Builder Manjunath carried out the layout formation as per rules. There has been no wrongdoing under the 50:50 ratio scheme”, he claimed.

Meanwhile, another former MUDA commissioner, G T Dinesh Kumar, continues to be absconding. He was out for a morning walk on Monday and has evaded questioning by the ED. After waiting for 24 hours, the ED officials handed a summons to his wife, directing him to present himself for inquiry, and left.

In Mysuru, the ED officials continued their searches at the office and of MMG Constructions belonging to builder Jayaram and also his residence in Srirampura. Jayaram was close to the MUDA commissioners and has got many sites allotted to him. It is believed that he was acting as benami owner for several officials and elected representatives.

Jayaram had started off as a mason 14 years ago and had accumulated much assets. He is also close to Dinesh Kumar and property papers belonging to Dinesh Kumar’s family are with Jayaram. The former MUDA commissioner would also frequently visit Jayaram’s guest house, it is said.

The ED officials also raided the office of Vakratunda House Building Cooperative Society run by Jayaram. Sources said the ED officials have prepared a list of 20 builders and elected representatives and their supporters.