Bengaluru: Home Minister G Parameshwara addressed the recent summons issued by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to officers of the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA), stating that it is premature to draw any conclusions. He emphasized that the investigation is still underway and urged the public to remain patient as the ED continues its inquiries.
“It is too early for us to conclude anything. It’s a process going on, and you know they have issued notices. They probably inquire into that. You know they investigate. They get their opinions and feedback ultimately. Let us see, let us wait and see what happens,” Parameshwara remarked.
Sources confirmed that six MUDA employees have been summoned for questioning at the ED’s zonal office in Bengaluru on different dates. They have been instructed to bring various documents related to the case, which is focusing on evidence linked to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and other officials.
This development follows the ED’s filing of a money-laundering case against Siddaramaiah and others, initiated by a First Information Report (FIR) from the state Lokayukta concerning the MUDA. The FIR names Siddaramaiah, his wife BM Parvathi, his brother-in-law Mallikarjuna Swamy, and Devaraju, from whom Swamy purchased land that was later gifted to Parvathi. The ED is utilizing the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in its investigation, which permits the agency to summon individuals for questioning and seize assets as necessary.
Siddaramaiah has denied all allegations, asserting that he is the target of political persecution, and he remains resolute in not resigning from his role as Chief Minister, receiving backing from his party despite ongoing calls from the BJP for his resignation.
In a related matter, Parameshwara also addressed the NDA’s decision to field Nikhil Kumaraswamy and the allegations that the Congress lacks a competent candidate for Channapatna. He stated, “Yogeshwar was earlier a Congress MLA and for some reason left, but he came back to our party. It’s not that we have forced him to come or anything like that. Whomever they field is not our concern.”
“Our focus is solely on winning that constituency, and we will strategize accordingly,” the Home Minister added.
