Karnataka land scam: Mysuru body agrees to take back plots from Siddaramaiah's wife

Hours after the Enforcement Directorate named Siddaramaiah in a money laundering case related to the MUDA (Mysuru Urban Development Authority) land scam on Monday, his wife BN Parvathi, wrote to the authority offering to return the plots of land.

In a statement, she said she was obeying the call of her conscience. "Along with returning these plots, I also demand a comprehensive investigation into all allegations related to MUDA," she said.

The probe agency registered the case against Siddaramaiha after taking cognizance of a First Information Report filed by the Lokayukta.

In her letter to MUDA, Parvathi offered to return the 14 plots allotted to her in Vijayanagar Phase 3 and 4 "in lieu of compensation for the use of 3.16 acre land in Kesare Village.

"I wish to surrender and return the compensatory plots by cancelling the deeds of 14 plots executed in my favor by the Mysore Urban Development Authority. I am also handing over the possession of the plots back to the Mysore Urban Development Authority. Kindly take necessary steps in this regard as soon as possible," the letter read.

"Some may ask, why make such a decision at this stage? I made this decision on the very day the accusations arose. However, as the accusations regarding the MUDA plot allocation were politically motivated, some well-wishers advised that we should fight against this injustice and not fall prey to their schemes. That's why I initially stepped back from returning the plots," she said in her statement.

"My husband, Siddaramaiah, the Chief Minister of the state, has upheld a strict code of ethics throughout his 40-year political career, remaining entirely free from any kind of blemish... To me, no house, plot, or wealth is more important than my husband's honor, dignity, and peace of mind. After all these years in power, I have never sought any personal gain for myself or my family... I am not aware of my husband's opinion on this matter, nor do I concern myself with what my son or other family members think," the statement read.

"I humbly appeal to the leaders of all political parties and members of the media. Please do not drag the women of political families into controversy for the sake of settling political scores. Do not harm their dignity and honor by involving them in political disputes," her statement read.

The MUDA case involves allegations of illegal allotment of 14 sites to Siddaramaiah's wife by the authority.

It has been alleged that compensatory sites allotted to Siddaramaiah's wife, located in an upmarket area in Mysuru, are far higher than the land acquired from her by MUDA.

Siddaramaiah has denied any wrongdoing and claimed the allegations against him are politically motivated.

He is the latest Opposition Chief Minister to be named as an accused in a corruption case.

Besides Siddaramaiah, his wife BM Parvathi, brother-in-law Mallikarjuna Swamy and Devaraju, from whom Swamy had purchased land and gifted it to Parvathi, and others have been named in the FIR registered by the Lokayukta police on Sept 27.