MUDA Case: HC Refuses CBI Investigation

Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court refused to transfer the investigation into the alleged illegal allotment of 14 sites to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s wife, Parvathi, from the Lokayukta police to the CBI. Justice M. Nagaprasanna ruled that there was no indication of bias or inadequacy in the Lokayukta police's probe to warrant a transfer, a news report stated. 

The petition, filed by Mysuru activist Snehamayi Krishna, argued that an independent investigation by the CBI was necessary due to Siddaramaiah’s influence over state agencies. However, the court rejected this, stating that a complainant cannot choose the investigating agency and that the Lokayukta Act allows the Lokayukta to investigate even the Chief Minister.

The case originated from Krishna’s July 2024 complaint, seeking a probe into MUDA’s alleged illegal site allotments. The Special Court had not acted on the complaint due to legal debates over the necessity of prior permission under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act. However, on August 16, the Governor granted permission for the probe, which Siddaramaiah challenged in the High Court. The HC ruled on September 24 that the investigation was necessary, leading the Special Court to order a Lokayukta police probe on September 25.