Activist Snehamayi Krishna has escalated her efforts for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment scandal, by challenging a Karnataka High Court single judge’s decision that previously denied such an investigation involving Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
On Tuesday, Krishna filed an appeal in the Karnataka High Court, following a decision by the Lokayukta police to exonerate Siddaramaiah and his family members in the alleged scam. The Lokayukta’s investigation had not found any substantive evidence to suggest wrongdoing, which led to their decision to clear the Chief Minister and his associated family members of all charges.
Krishna, who has expressed doubts about the impartiality of the Lokayukta’s investigation due to Siddaramaiah’s significant influence over state departments and investigative agencies, sought to have the CBI take over the case for a more neutral examination. Her concerns highlight the potential conflicts of interest that could compromise the integrity of local investigations when high-ranking officials are involved.
Justice Nagaprasanna, in his February 7 ruling, stated that there was no indication from the materials presented that the investigation by the Lokayukta was biased or flawed to warrant a transfer to the CBI. “The material on record on its perusal nowhere indicates that the investigation conducted by the Lokayukta is partisan, lopsided or shoddy for this court to refer the matter to the CBI for further investigation or reinvestigation. As a result, the petition would necessarily meet its dismissal and is accordingly dismissed,” he remarked.
The FIR, which was lodged by the Lokayukta police in Mysuru on September 27, 2024, includes Siddaramaiah, his wife, his brother-in-law B M Mallikarjuna Swamy, and Devaraju among others. The case was initially registered following a directive from the Special Court handling criminal cases against former and current MPs/MLAs.
