New Delhi: The Karnataka High Court has ordered that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) can continue its probe into the alleged illegal land allotment case in Mysuru. The case involves Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his wife, BM Parvathi. This rule comes as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah faces a new legal challenge, with the ED challenging the findings of a report from the Karnataka Lokayukta related to the alleged irregularities by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA). The ED has approached the People’s Representatives Court, asking it to dismiss the Lokayukta’s conclusion, which had cleared Siddaramaiah and his wife of any wrongdoing.
In its petition, the ED has argued that its research discovered substantial proof of violations. The agency claimed that Lokayukta’s ‘B Report’ was flawed and that it was wrong to assert that no violations happened. This contradicts the position of Lokayukta that the allegations were civil and did not merit criminal proceedings.
Although the court withdrew the summons for former MUDA Commissioner DB Natesh. It stated that the investigation against others would proceed. The ED had aimed a stay on the judge’s decision to cancel Natesh’s summons. However, the division bench ruled that this conclusion did not prevent the agency from continuing its investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The court also allowed the ED to use documents, materials, and information acquired from the petitioner as part of its investigation.
Apart from this, the court has noted that Natesh’s rights would remain shielded since his case is still under judicial consideration. It also indicated that any decision about whether his statement could be rejected would be made during the appeal process.
