Lokayukta gets court nod to continue Muda 'scam' probe

BENGALURU/MYSURU: A special court for elected representatives directed Lokayukta police Tuesday to continue investigations into the

Mysore Urban Development Authority

(Muda) alternative site allotment scam and submit a final report.
The Bengaluru court was passing its order reserved on protest petitions filed by Mysuru complainant-activist Snehamayi Krishna and ED against the closure report in the case by Lokayukta police.
"The Lokayukta is permitted to conduct further investigation, as requested by them, and file a conclusive final report on or before the next date of hearing (May 7, 2025). Further, ED is considered as aggrieved person for a limited extent. The question of considering the acceptance or rejection of 'B' final report filed by the investigating agency is kept pending till filing of the conclusive final report by the investigating agency," special judge Santosh Gajanana Bhat observed.
In March, Lokayukta police had submitted a preliminary report giving a clean chit to the four accused - CM Siddaramaiah, his wife Parvathi, her elder brother Mallikarjuna Swamy, and landowner Devaraj - saying there was no evidence against them in the alleged scam.

The alleged scam was exposed in 2024 when Krishna petitioned the court stating there were large-scale irregularities in the allotment of alternative sites, particularly 14 sites allotted to the CM's wife, Parvathi. Accordingly, the court directed Mysuru Lokayukta police wing to register a case and investigate.