Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah‘s wife, BN Parvathi, has decided to return 14 plots of land at the heart of a corruption case linked to the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA). The decision came after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) filed a money laundering case against Siddaramaiah, his wife, and others.
In her letter to MUDA, Parvathi stated that she was acting out of conscience, highlighting that her husband’s honor was more important than any material possessions. She emphasized that she had never sought personal gain throughout Siddaramaiah’s four-decade political career, which had always been marked by integrity. In a heartfelt statement, Parvathi requested a full investigation into the allegations, expressing her desire for transparency.
The controversy centers around claims that the compensatory plots allotted to Parvathi, located in an upscale area of Mysuru, were significantly more valuable than the agricultural land she originally held. Critics, including social activists, have alleged that the allotment led to a ₹45 crore loss to the state. They also questioned the legality of how the land, allegedly acquired by her brother Mallikarjuna Swamy using forged documents, was transferred to Parvathi.
While Siddaramaiah has consistently denied any wrongdoing, arguing that the allegations are politically motivated, the ED’s recent involvement has heightened scrutiny on the case. Alongside the money laundering charges, the case also involves a Lokayukta police investigation into the plot allotments.
This development comes amid a politically charged atmosphere, with accusations of selective targeting from the Congress, who claim that the BJP-led central government is using the ED to harass opposition leaders.
