‘Too early for us to conclude’: Home Minister Parameshwara as ED probes MUDA officers

BENGALURU: Home Minister G Parameshwara on Friday responded to the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) summons of Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) officers, underlining that it is premature to conclude anything. He also noted that the investigation process is ongoing and urged patience as the ED conducts its inquiries and gathers feedback.

“It is too early for us to conclude anything. It’s a process going on, and you know they have issued notices. They probably inquire into that. You know they investigate. They get their opinions and feedback ultimately. Let us see, let us wait and see what happens”, Parameshwara said.

#WATCH | Bengaluru | On MUDA case, Karnataka Home Minister G Parmeshwara says, “It is too early for us to conclude anything, it’s a process going on…

On Nikhil Kumaraswamy, NDA candidate for the Channapatna by-election, G Parmeshwara says, “…It’s not our concern, who is… pic.twitter.com/90VCOtUfQ3

— ANI (@ANI) October 25, 2024

On Friday, sources confirmed that the ED summoned six employees linked to the MUDA for questioning. These employees are scheduled for interrogation on different dates at the ED’s zonal office in Bengaluru. They have been asked to bring various documents related to the case. The investigators are looking for evidence connected to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and other officials associated with him.

This action comes shortly after the ED filed a money-laundering case against Siddaramaiah and others. The case was prompted by a First Information Report (FIR) from the state Lokayukta concerning the MUDA, which has placed the Congress leader 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 is applying the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in its investigation, allowing the agency to summon individuals for questioning and potentially seize assets during the process.

Siddaramaiah has denied the allegations, claiming he is facing political persecution. He has stated that he will not resign from his position as Chief Minister, receiving support from his party leaders despite ongoing demands from the BJP for him to step down.

Parameshwara also reacted to the NDA’s fielding of Nikhil Kumaraswamy and the NDA’s allegations that Congress did not have a competent candidate for Channapatna and hence hijacked C P Yogeshwar. He said, “Yogeshwar was earlier a Congress MLA and for some reason left, but he came back to our party. It’s not that we have forced him to come or anything like that. Whomever they field is not our concern”.

“We are only concerned about how to win that constituency, and we will work on those lines”, the Home Minister said. (ANI)