‘Why are you being used for political battles?’: SC rejects ED’s plea against Siddaramaiah’s wife in MUDA case

The Supreme Court has dismissed a plea filed by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) challenging the Karnataka High Court’s decision to set aside the probe against B.M. Parvathi, the wife of Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, in connection with the alleged irregularities with regard to illegal land allotments by Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA).

A bench of Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai and K. Vinod Chandran refused to entertain ED’s plea by orally stating, “Let political battles be fought amongst the electorate. Why are you (ED) being used for it.”

The MUDA scam revolves around the alleged irregularities in the allotment of compensatory sites. At the heart of the controversy is a 3.2-acre parcel of land that was gifted to CM Siddaramaiah’s wife, Parvathi, by her brother Mallikarjunaswamy in 2010.

After the acquisition of the land by Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA), Parvathi sought compensation and was subsequently allocated 14 plots. These plots are reportedly worth more valuable than the original piece of land.

Opposition parties have alleged that the total value of the scam could potentially fall within the range of ₹3,000 crore to ₹4,000 crore.

(This is a developing story)