Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) spokesperson M. Lakshmana has alleged ‘malafide intention’ behind the recent press statement issued by Directorate of Enforcement (ED) against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) ‘scam’.
Addressing a press conference in Mysuru on Wednesday, Mr. Lakshman questioned the need for ED to issue a press statement even before conclusion of the probe in the matter. “Does any probing agency issue press statements on the progress of the investigation in episodes?” he questioned.
He alleged that the ED was “biased” against Mr Siddaramaiah and was working against the Congress government in the State and the Opposition in the country.
Mr. Lakshmana said he had sent a complaint to President Droupadi Murmu against the functioning of the ED.
He said all the investigating agencies in the country including ED had lost their “sanctity” and were working at the behest of BJP and RSS ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office.
He took serious exception to a “misleading” observation made by the ED in its statement that “142 immovable properties worth ₹300 crore had been provisionally attached under provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) 2002 in connection with the case against Mr. Siddaramaiah”, and questioned the appropriateness of such a statement when 14 sites allotted to Mr. Siddaramaiah’s wife were not part of the attached immovable properties.
The 14 sites allotted Mr. Siddaramaiah’s wife Parvathi as compensation for the 3.16 acres of land acquired by the MUDA had been surrendered to the authority, he said.
The ED’s statement was aimed at tarnishing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s reputation and bring a bad name to the Congress government in the State and influence the courts, Mr. Lakshmana alleged.
Further, he said the ED statement was also aimed at checkmating the various probes against BJP leaders for the scams that had taken place during BJP government in the State, and divert public attention away from the intra-party fighting in the BJP.
Published – January 22, 2025 07:47 pm IST