Karnataka Minister Defends CM Siddaramaiah Amid MUDA Scam Allegations

Karnataka Minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan has defended CM Siddaramaiah against allegations in the MUDA scam case, calling them politically motivated. Siddaramaiah expressed readiness for a legal battle. The Karnataka High Court has ordered a thorough investigation by the Lokayukta following claims of illegal site allotments to Siddaramaiah's wife.

Karnataka Minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan on Wednesday defended Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, dismissing allegations in the MUDA scam case as a "political game." Khan proclaimed Siddaramaiah's innocence, expressing confidence that the facts would emerge following an investigation. He revealed that senior party leaders are supporting Siddaramaiah, urging him not to resign.

"The facts will be clear after an inquiry is conducted...This is purely political. Siddaramaiah has no involvement in this case. We all, including party high command leaders Venugopal ji and Surjewala ji, stand with the Chief Minister. We have advised him not to step down...Siddaramaiah has no involvement whatsoever," Khan stated. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister asserted his readiness to engage in a legal battle.

"I am prepared to face the investigation and continue the legal fight. As I mentioned yesterday, and I reiterate today: there is no fear of an investigation; I am committed to facing everything. After consultations with legal experts, I will determine the next steps," he said. Earlier, on Wednesday, a Special Court in Bengaluru ordered the Karnataka Lokayukta to investigate allegations of illegalities in the allocation of 14 sites worth Rs 56 crore to Siddaramaiah's wife Parvathi by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA).

The Mysuru district police under the Lokayukta will conduct the investigation and submit their report within three months. This order followed the Karnataka High Court's decision on Tuesday to vacate its interim stay granted on August 19, which had directed a deferment of the court's decision regarding complaints against Siddaramaiah. The petition was filed by social activist Snehamayi Krishna.

"As per the order, an FIR will be registered. The Mysuru Lokayukta jurisdiction will register an FIR and proceed with the investigation," Advocate Vasant Kumar, representing petitioner Snehamayi Krishna, told reporters. The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday rejected Siddaramaiah's plea challenging Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot's approval for an investigation into alleged irregularities in the MUDA's allotment of sites to his wife.

Justice Nagaprasanna's single-judge bench concluded that the sanction for prosecution did not suffer from non-application of mind by the Governor. It is alleged that MUDA unlawfully allocated 14 sites in a prime Mysuru location to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's wife. The High Court, in its interim order on August 19, had provided temporary relief to Siddaramaiah by directing a special court in Bengaluru to defer further proceedings and avoid any precipitative actions following the Governor's sanction. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)