Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah dismisses ED letter as effort to ‘influence’ courts

He said the ED could have submitted a report independently. But, by writing a letter to the Lokayukta and releasing its contents to a news agency so as to make it public clearly indicates that the motive is ‘political’, said Mr Siddaramaiah.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah described the letter written by Enforcement Directorate (ED) to Karnataka Lokayukta on the alleged irregularities in the allotment of sites by Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) to his wife Parvathi as an effort to ‘influence’ the courts.

On December 4, while fielding queries from reporters during a visit to K. R. Pet in Mandya district, Mr Siddaramaiah pointed out that the letter by ED comes on the eve of the hearing of his appeal in the MUDA case by a single judge of the Karnataka High Court.

Questioning the ED’s motive behind sending a letter to the Karnataka Lokayukta when the investigating agency was conducting a probe and just before the hearing related to the case in the High Court, Mr Siddaramaiah said the ED’s letter was ‘prejudicial’ to the probe by Lokayukta police as well as the court hearing.

He said the letter sent by ED was ‘politically motivated’ and borne out of ‘political ill-will’.

Mr Siddaramaiah questioned the ED’s powers to conduct an investigation in the matter. He pointed out that the court has directed the Lokayukta to conduct a probe by December 26 following grant of permission for investigation by Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot.

“But, why is ED writing such a letter. What is their intention? Isn’t it deliberate?”

He said the ED could have submitted a report independently. But, by writing a letter to the Lokayukta and releasing its contents to a news agency so as to make it public clearly indicates that the motive is ‘political’, said Mr Siddaramaiah.