The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is preparing to launch a money laundering investigation against Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, his wife, and others in connection with a land scam involving the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA). This development comes after the Karnataka Lokayukta police filed an FIR against the Chief Minister last week.
Sources suggest that the ED may register an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) by the end of the day or tomorrow. A senior ED official, quoted by The Indian Express, confirmed that the agency is in possession of the FIR and relevant case details, stating, “We are in possession of the details of the FIR and relevant case details. The offences fall under the schedule of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). A case will be registered soon after completing necessary formalities.”
The initial FIR, filed last week, names Siddaramaiah, his wife BM Parvathi, brother-in-law Mallikarjuna Swamy, land owner Devaraju, and other individuals. This action follows a Bengaluru special court’s order last week directing a Lokayukta police investigation into the Chief Minister’s alleged involvement in the land scam.
The ED’s investigation will now scrutinize the financial transactions associated with the land deal to determine if any illegal activities took place and if money laundering was involved. This development significantly intensifies the pressure on Siddaramaiah and his government as allegations of corruption and misconduct continue to swirl around the land deal.
