The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday charged Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in a money-laundering case related to the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA), according to official sources reported by news agency PTI.
The federal agency has filed an enforcement case information report (ECIR) to charge the chief minister and others, it is reported. The ED applied sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to include Siddaramaiah within its ECIR, which is similar to a police FIR. In the process of doing so, the ED may summon the accused for interrogation and may also seize their assets during an investigation.
Kharge Calls ED Action 'BJP Script', Says Congress Unafraid Of Probe
Karnataka Minister and Congress leader Priyank Kharge termed the ED's action as that which was expected. "This is all part of the BJP's script. Their standard operating procedure is to use the CBI, ED, and other central agencies to intimidate the opposition," as reported by News18.
Kharge added that Siddaramaiah and the Congress are not afraid of any investigation. He said: "The High Court has dismissed two charges against Siddaramaiah. The government has already formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to look into the matter. We are not afraid of the investigation he said.
Lokayukta Police Filed FIR Against Siddaramaiah
The Lokayukta police last week filed a First Information Report against Siddaramaiah, his wife BM Parvathi, his brother-in-law Mallikarjun Swamy and Devaraj, a man from whom Mallikarjun Swamy bought land and gifted it to Parvathi.
The FIR followed an order from the special court in Bengaluru asking the Lokayukta police to probe Siddaramaiah on charges of irregularities in the allotment of 14 sites worth ₹56 crore allotted by the Mysuru development authority to the chief minister's wife.
Special Court Orders Lokayukta Probe Against Siddaramaiah Under Multiple IPC Sections
The special court, which deals with criminal cases involving former and current MPs and MLAs, ordered the Lokayukta police in Mysuru to initiate an inquiry on a complaint from RTI activist Snehamayi Krishna.
The Lokayukta filed the FIR under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including 120B (criminal conspiracy), 166 (public servant disobeying the law to cause harm), 403 (dishonest misappropriation of property), 406 (criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating and dishonest delivery of property), 426 (mischief), 465 (forgery), 468 (forgery for cheating), 340 (wrongful confinement), and 351 (assault).