The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday registered a money-laundering case linked to the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) against Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah and others, sources in the agency said.

Congress leader Siddaramaiah, his wife B.M. Parvathi, brother-in-law Mallikarjuna Swamy, former landowner Devaraju and others were named in the FIR registered by the Mysuru Lokayukta police establishment on September 27. Swamy had purchased land from Devaraju and gifted it to Parvathi.

“We have registered a money-laundering case against the Karnataka chief minister and others after examining the details of the Lokayukta police FIR and also taking legal advice as the offences fall under the schedule of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA),” an ED official said on Monday.

Congress general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh posted on X: “It is no secret that the ED has become an instrument of harrassment, vendetta, revenge and vengeance on his political opponents by the non-biological PM.
The people of Karnataka rejected Him resoundingly in May 2023 and He has not forgotten that humiliation. @INCIndia believes that He and His ED will stand thoroughly exposed soon. We have nothing whatsoever to fear. The CM of Karnataka will be vindicated.”

Later in the night, ANI reported that Parvathi had written to MUDA surrendering the 14 plots allotted to her.

“Further, I wish to surrender and return the compensation plots by cancelling the deeds of 14 plots executed in my favour by the Mysore Urban Development Authority. I am also handing over the possession of the plots back to the Mysore Urban Development Authority,” the undated letter attributed to Parvathi by ANI read.

The ED, which has booked Siddaramaiah under sections of the PMLA, is now empowered to summon him for questioning and attach properties belonging to him and his family.

The Karnataka Lokayukta police had on Friday booked Siddaramaiah and three others on charges of corruption, cheating and forgery in connection with the alleged allotment of 14 MUDA housing sites to Parvathy in 2021.

The FIR was lodged after the special court ordered a Lokayukta police probe against Siddaramaiah.