Karnataka: ED conducts fresh searches in MUDA money laundering case

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah is facing Lokayukta and ED probes into alleged irregularities in the allotment of 14 sites to his wife by the MUDA

The Enforcement Directorate undertook fresh searches on October 28 in connection with the money laundering case involving the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) in which it has booked Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, his family and others, official sources said.

Seven to eight premises in Bengaluru and Mysuru are being covered in the searches, the sources said. This includes the premises of a builder in Bengaluru.

ED conducted the first round of raids on October 18 when it searched the MUDA office in Mysuru and some other locations.

Last week, it questioned some lower-rank officials of the MUDA at its Bengaluru zonal office.

Taking cognisance of a Lokayukta FIR, the ED filed an enforcement case information report (ECIR) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to book the Karnataka Chief Minister and others.

Mr Siddaramaiah is facing Lokayukta and ED probes into alleged irregularities in the allotment of 14 sites to his wife by the MUDA.

His wife Parvathi B. M., brother-in-law Mallikarjuna Swamy, Devaraju — from whom Mallikarjuna Swamy purchased land and gifted to Parvathi — and others are named as other accused in the case by the two probe agencies.