In a dramatic turn of events, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s wife, BM Parvathi, has announced her decision to return 14 compensatory land sites received from the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA).
This development came hours after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) filed a money laundering case against the Chief Minister and others concerning the MUDA land scam.
Siddaramaiah’s wife to return 14 Plots amid ED’s Probe
In a letter addressed to MUDA, Parvathi expressed her distress over the accusations and emphasized her commitment to her husband’s integrity. “My husband, Siddaramaiah, the state’s Chief Minister, has upheld a strict code of ethics throughout his 40-year political career, remaining entirely free from any kind of blemish,” she wrote. “I have lived my life committed to ensuring that nothing in my public or political life would cause him any embarrassment.”
Parvathi’s decision to return the land plots, which her brother inherited, underscores her resolve to protect her husband’s reputation. She stated that no material possessions could outweigh her husband’s honour, highlighting that she had never sought personal wealth or property throughout her life.
Here’s what the Karnataka Chief Minister said:
Responding to the situation, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah took to social media platform X to express his feelings. “My wife Parvathi has returned the plots of land that were given as compensation for land acquired by MUDA in Mysuru without going through formal procedures,” he stated. Siddaramaiah labelled the accusations made by opposition parties as “fabricated” and born out of “political malice.”
The Chief Minister acknowledged the emotional toll on his wife, who has largely remained out of public life. “This deeply saddens me,” he added, noting that Parvathi felt mentally harassed by the unfolding controversy. Despite his stance against what he terms “injustice,” Siddaramaiah expressed respect for his wife’s decision to return the land.
Why ED filed a case against Siddaramaiah?
This development comes amidst intensifying legal scrutiny. The ED filed an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) against Siddaramaiah and others under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). This followed a First Information Report (FIR) registered by the Lokayukta police last week against Siddaramaiah, his wife, his brother-in-law Mallikarjun Swamy, and one Devaraj.
The FIR was lodged in response to a special court order in Bengaluru, directing an investigation into alleged irregularities in the allotment of 14 sites, valued at Rs 56 crore, to Parvathi by MUDA.
As the situation unfolds, the return of the controversial land plots by the Chief Minister’s wife adds a new dimension to the ongoing probe, potentially impacting both the legal proceedings and the political landscape in Karnataka.
