The Enforcement Directorate conducted search operations at the Mysore Urban Development. Authority office in Mysuru on Friday following allegations of widespread irregularities in the allotment of valuable housing plots. This follows two weeks since an ECIR, a kind of police First Information Report (FIR), was filed. The investigations have, of course, received much attention inasmuch as they are linked to a case related to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
CCB takes on CM Siddaramaiah and their family with the probe
ED action follows the lodging of an FIR by Lokayukta Police against Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, his wife Parvathy, and two others in a case of illegal allotment of 14 housing plots. This was lodged based on a court order recently issued by the government during the general amnesty. The Chief Minister is the first accused, while his wife is the second accused. Mallikarjunaswamy, Siddaramaiah’s brother-in-law, and Devaraju, a landowner who sold the plot, are the third and fourth accused, respectively.
Accusations The accusations of illegal allotments at grossly undervalued prices do have possible corruption consequences for the government apparatus, including MUDA. This has invited substantial political controversy that has amplified the existing scrutiny of the state’s leadership.
Enforcement Directorate Raids and Search Operations
During the search operations, officials of ED went through documents and records in possession of MUDA and the Revenue Department for ascertaining irregularities. Searches under the protection of CRPF officials questioned MUDA’s Commissioner and other higher officials in the department. The office remained closed to public till the search process was over.
According to sources, ED will continue its operations over the weekend, which may indicate that it is in its preliminary stages.
After examining the documents and conducting an inquiry into irregularities, other government bodies involved in land allotment procedures may also come into its purview.
BJP’s Demand for CM’s Resignation: Enforcement Directorate
The ED’s involvement has stepped up protests by the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP). Demands that the CM Siddaramaiah step down from office. BJP leaders have been urging the Chief Minister to resign stating that the magnitude of thousands of crores. In ill-gotten transactions cannot be left unchecked, especially until such time that the investigations are completed.
BJP leader and former Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister R Ashoka made an emphatic point of the fact. That it was not a random move on the part of the ED. But as an after-effect of complaints made by a number of Congress leaders. Who had otherwise spoken about the irregularities that existed within MUDA. The leader added that if Congress was unhappy with ED’s involvement, they all had the freedom to visit the judiciary for redressal.
Political Tension Rise
BJP State President BY Vijayendra hopes that ED investigation would throw open all the irregularities and the culprits would be convicted. Siddaramaiah’s decision of staying in office even during such a scandal would bring down the dignity attached to the post of a Chief Minister.
As the political situation hots up in Karnataka, what happens during the ED probe is more likely to fuel. A bitter divide between the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP. The case also points to a growth of instances where investigative agencies get caught in big-ticket political controversies within the country.
Conclusion
The ED raised the controversy over the landmark allotment involving the Karnataka Chief Minister. Siddaramaiah by conducting searches at the office of MUDA. As the probe is ongoing, the political scenario in the state is being charged. The probe’s results will have serious fallouts for the state’s Congress-led government and the opposition BJP. The next few days are expected to have more exposure to the ED. Setting its probe process in motion on both MUDA offices and the alleged irregularities in the land allotting process.
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