ED conducts fresh searches in Karnataka MUDA case

The Enforcement Directorate on Monday conducted fresh searches in connection with the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA)-linked money laundering case in which it arrested Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, official sources said. About seven-eight buildings Bengaluru and Mysuru are being monitored, the sources said.

The federal agency had conducted the first round of raids in the case on October 18 when it searched the MUDA office in Mysuru and some other locations.

Last week, some lower-level officials of the MUDA were also questioned at its zonal office in Bengaluru.

The ED has filed an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) seeking notice of the CM and others taking cognizance of a Lokayukta FIR.

Siddaramaiah is facing Lokayukta and ED probes into alleged irregularities in the allotment of 14 locations to his wife by the MUDA.

Siddaramaiah’s wife Parvathi BM, brother-in-law Mallikarjuna Swamy, Devaraju – from whom Mallikarjuna Swamy bought land and gifted it to Parvathi – and others have been named by the two investigating agencies as other suspects in the case. Parvathi was recently questioned by the Lokayukta.