MUDA's decision to take back CM's wife's sites "destruction of evidence", says HD Kumaraswamy
Bengaluru, Oct 2: JD(S) leader and Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Wednesday questioned the MUDA's decision to take back 14 plots allotted to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's wife Parvathi B M, and said it amounts to "destruction of evidence".
He demanded that the Lokayukta police, which is probing into the case, arrest the MUDA commissioner for the decision.
State BJP President B Y Vijayendra too expressed surprise over the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) Commissioner's decision, and termed it "illegal".
MUDA on Tuesday decided to take back 14 plots allotted to Parvathi, following her decision to relinquish their ownership and possession.
It has ordered to cancel the sale deed of these plots, its Commissioner A N Raghunandan said on Tuesday.
Kumaraswamy lashed out at the CM, accusing him of indulging in misuse of powers.
ALSO READ: MUDA 'scam' probes: Mahatma Gandhi's life has given me courage and hope, says CM Siddaramaiah
"In the High Court he has said that the sites belong to (his family)...the court for public representatives (Special court) has ordered a Lok Ayukta probe. The property is under the court now.....how can they (CM family) say that they want to give back sites, whose sites are they. How can they give," Kumaraswamy said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, "If there is transparency in the Lokayukta probe, they have to arrest the MUDA commissioner immediately. How does the MUDA commissioner have the powers to take back the sites? After hearing arguments the court has given its order, after that they (CM family) have played the drama of returning the sites. On what basis or under which powers have the sites been taken back."
"How can the 'Khata' (certification of ownership of property) be changed? The Chief Minister by misusing the Lokayukta officers is trying to cover up this case. Who all have influenced and put pressure on that officer (MUDA commissioner) to take back the sites? All these things need to be investigated," he said.
Calling the MUDA commissioner's decision to take back 14 sites as "illegal", Kumaraswamy said, it is in violation of court order and may lead to contempt of court.
"Change of khata is to destroy evidence. In this government Siddaramaiah is misusing power and officials...if Lokayukta police are conducting the probe in accordance with law, they should arrest the MUDA official," he said.
The "destruction of evidence" happening at the behest of the Chief Minister or Urban Development Minister, need to be investigated, the former CM further said, adding, "when the probe is regarding 14 sites, MUDA taking them based on an application and changing the Khata amounts to destruction of evidence by this government misusing power."
"What is Lokayukta police probing the case doing," he asked, pointing out that return of sites took place soon after the ED registered a case.
On Monday, the Enforcement Directorate registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR), equivalent to an FIR by police, against the CM over the alleged irregularities in allotment of 14 sites to his wife by the MUDA.
Hours later, the Chief Minister's wife wrote to MUDA expressing her desire to surrender the sites allotted to her by the authority.
BJP leader Vijayendra questioned as to on what basis the MUDA commissioner cancelled the Khata. "It has been done just on the basis of the CM's wife's letter despite the orders of the High Court and the Special Court."
MUDA official's decision to cancel the Khata is illegal, and it cannot be done. "It makes clear that officials are also involved."
Lokayukta police on September 27 registered an FIR against Siddaramaiah, his wife, brother-in-law Mallikarjuna Swamy, Devaraju -- from whom Mallikarjuna Swamy purchased land and gifted it to Parvathi -- and others, following a Special Court order.
The order of the Special Court Judge, Santhosh Gajanan Bhat, came a day after the High Court upheld the sanction granted by the Governor to conduct an investigation against Siddaramaiah.
In the MUDA site allotment case, it is alleged that 14 compensatory sites were allotted to Siddaramaiah's wife in an upmarket area in Mysuru which had higher property value as compared to the location of her land which had been "acquired" by MUDA.
The MUDA had allotted plots to Parvathi under a 50:50 ratio scheme in lieu of 3.16 acres of her land, where it developed a residential layout.
Under the controversial scheme, MUDA allotted 50 per cent of developed land to the land losers in lieu of undeveloped land acquired from them for forming residential layouts.
It is alleged that Parvathi had no legal title over this 3.16 acres of land at survey number 464 of Kasare village, Kasaba hobli of Mysuru taluk.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
KSCA expresses disappointment over missing IPL playoffs, says it was ready to host matches in B’luru
Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has issued a clarification stating that it was fully prepared to host the IPL playoffs and final matches in Bengaluru but the fixtures were allotted to other venues.
In a media note, KSCA said it was disappointed with the decision. The association stated that its president, former India cricketer Venkatesh Prasad, had been in touch with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and had formally conveyed the association’s readiness and interest in hosting the matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
KSCA said the IPL matches held in Bengaluru this season were appreciated for smooth conduct, crowd management and overall experience for spectators. It said this reflected its ability to handle high-profile matches.
The association also stated that it had sent a detailed communication to the BCCI explaining its preparedness and the operational arrangements followed during the current IPL season. According to KSCA, these systems have been in place since the start of the Indian Premier League in 2008 and were followed consistently, including during previous playoff matches hosted in Bengaluru.
The clarification added that the communication sent to the BCCI was only meant to provide factual and operational details and to bring clarity on logistical and stakeholder-related requirements involved in hosting such matches.
KSCA said that although it had shown willingness and preparedness, the BCCI has decided to allocate the playoff matches to other venues. It added that the reasons for this decision have not been formally shared with the association, but it respects the authority of the board in taking such decisions.
The association further said it remains ready to host matches of national and international importance and will continue to cooperate with the BCCI, franchises, government authorities and other stakeholders for conducting cricket events.
The statement was issued by KSCA official spokesperson Vinay Mruthyunjaya, who also thanked the media and cricket fans for their continued support.
