Lokayukta quizzes Sidda in MUDA case for 2 hrs, BJP calls it 'scripted'

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was questioned by the Lokayukta for two hours in connection with a land allotment case. The case involves the alleged irregular allotment of land to his wife. Siddaramaiah denied any wrongdoing and called the allegations false. The BJP criticized the investigation, calling it 'scripted' and demanding a CBI probe.

MYSURU: A three-member Lokayukta team interrogated Wednesday Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah in the Mysore Urban Development Authority (Muda) land allotment case, making him the second politician after BJP's B S Yediyurappa to be questioned by the agency while holding office. Siddaramaiah was questioned for just about two hours, a month after his wife Parvathi had been questioned over being allotted 14 prime plots in Mysuru as part of a controversial land-swap deal. The CM and his wife, who has since returned the land, are accused Nos 1 and 2 in the case.

"My wife returned the plots not because of any wrongdoing but due to the false allegations against me. I have no documents related to this Muda case, nor was any document sought from me. Until a decision is made in court, these are just false allegations made by BJP and JD(S)," Siddaramaiah said.

Led by SP T J Udesha, the Lokayukta team asked "25-30 questions, which the CM answered consistently", an officer privy to the interrogation said. The team videorecorded the session in accordance with legal protocol. MLA A S Ponanna, Siddaramaiah's legal adviser, was by his side from the time he arrived at the Lokayukta office in Mysuru around 10am.

He entered the office at 10.09am and left at 12.07pm.

BJP termed the investigation "scripted" and accused the Lokayukta of "match-fixing". Leader of the opposition R Ashoka said Siddaramaiah knew he would be questioned for less than two hours, based on his engagements later in the day. "We have seen investigations by Enforcement Directorate last 48 to 60 hours.

..Did Siddaramaiah instruct Lokayukta officers when to start and end questioning? How is this possible?" he wondered.

Ex-CM Yediyurappa termed the probe "an eyewash" that wouldn't yield anything. "Siddaramaiah is desperately trying to present himself as clean. We all know what will happen - the Lokayukta won't take any action against him.

If he truly believes in his innocence, he should hand over the case to CBI." BJP members in Mysuru staged a demonstration demanding Siddaramaiah's resignation. The CM rejected demands for a CBI inquiry, saying the Lokayukta was an independent agency.

Siddaramaiah's brother-in-law Mallikarjuna Swamy and Devaraju, the original owner of the rural land in lieu of which Parvathi was allotted plots in the heart of Mysuru, have already made statements to Lokayukta police..