Siddaramaiah Summoned For Questioning By Lokayukta In Mysuru Land Scam

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has been summoned by the Lokayukta for questioning on Wednesday in the Mysuru land scam case. The Lokayukta Police have already questioned the Chief Minister's wife, Parvathi BM, in connection with the case. Asked if he would answer the summons for questioning, Mr Siddaramaiah answered in the affirmative this evening.

The summons come after a court declared that Governor Thaawarchand Gahlot was within his rights to allow an investigation against the Chief Minister by the Lokayukta. 

The Lokayukta has already filed a First Information Report on the orders of a special court. Besides Mr Siddaramaiah and his wife, his brother-in-law Mallikarjuna Swamy, Devaraju and others have been named in the FIR.

Mr Siddaramaiah has denied any wrongdoing and claimed that the allegations against him are politically motivated.

The case is linked to the allotment of 14 high value plots -- located in an upmarket area in Mysuru -- to Ms Parvathi as compensation against her 3.16 acres of land in Kesare village near the city. 

Activists have alleged that this had caused a loss of Rs 45 crore to the state. 

An anti-corruption activist had filed a complaint. The activist has also alleged that the land, shown to be gifted to Ms Parvathi by her brother, was illegally acquired by him.

BM Parvathi has already offered to return the land to MUDA, which has agreed to take the plots back.

There have been allegations that Siddaramaiah has destroyed evidence in the alleged land scam case. A complaint has been filed which also names the Chief Minister's son Yathindra.

The allegations against the Chief Minister have sparked a massive political row in Karnataka, with the BJP demanding his resignation.