MUDA Case: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will face trial in the MUDA case as Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has given permission for the legal proceedings. The case involves a land transaction, and the BJP and JD(S) have accused Siddaramaiah of using his influence while holding important positions in the state from 1998 to 2023. Although Siddaramaiah may not have been directly involved in the land deals, the opposition argues that it is unlikely he did not use his power.
What Does Siddaramaiah Say?
CM Siddaramaiah has denied any wrongdoing in the case. He mentioned that if he had any ill intentions, he could have acted on his wife’s land-related file during his tenure as Chief Minister from 2013 to 2018. He also questioned why the BJP government under Basavaraj Bommai gave plots to his wife if there was something wrong with the process. Siddaramaiah has stated that he is ready to fight this case legally.
What is the MUDA Case?
In 1992, the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) acquired some land from farmers to develop a residential area. This land was de-notified and separated from agricultural land. However, in 1998, a portion of the acquired land was returned to the farmers, making it agricultural land again.
What is Siddaramaiah’s Role in the MUDA Case?
In 1998, when Siddaramaiah was the Deputy CM in the Congress-JD(S) coalition government, his wife’s brother purchased a piece of the de-notified land (3 acres and 14 gunta) in 2004. During this time, the government again de-notified the disputed land, separating it from agricultural land. However, when Siddaramaiah’s family went to claim ownership, they found that a layout had already been developed on the land. This led to a legal battle with MUDA.
From 2013 to 2018, when Siddaramaiah was the Chief Minister, his family’s application for the land reached him. Siddaramaiah chose not to take any action, saying that since the beneficiaries were his family members, he would not move the file forward. In 2022, when the file reached the then Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, who was leading the BJP government, the decision was made to grant 14 plots in the Vijayanagar area of Mysore under the MUDA’s 50-50 scheme.