BJP, JD(S) welcome ED raids in MUDA case, say it's needed to bring out truth

NT Correspondent Bengaluru: Welcoming the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) raids in the MUDA site allotment case allegedly involving Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's family, opposition BJP and JD(S) in Karnataka asserted on Friday that they are necessary to uncover the "scam" and to bring out the truth. Leaders from the two parties slammed the ruling Congress for questioning the ED probe in the case, in which Siddaramaiah is an accused, asking whether a fair probe into the case was possible by the Lokayukta police that function under his government. The ED on Friday conducted searches in a money laundering case linked to alleged irregularities in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) matter in which it has booked Siddaramaiah, his family members and others, official sources said.

The MUDA office in Mysuru and some other locations are being raided by the federal probe agency officials along with an escort of a central paramilitary force, Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R Ashoka denied suggestions of political motive behind the raids, noting that the complaint against the CM and others was not filed by his party.

"....it is said Rs 3,000- 4,000 crore illegality has happened, if that amount comes back, it will help the government. They (Congress) should welcome the raid and cooperate to ensure that the amount is recovered," he said, adding, those who question the ED probe should go to court. "Why is Siddaramaiah waiting without going to court? Instead of questioning it in the court, they are saying ED doesn't have powers to probe the case. Do you (Cong govt) have the right You are forming SITs (Special Investigation Teams) in Karnataka every day (to probe cases involving opposition leaders)? Have we questioned you? We are saying probe the cases. Don't politicise probes," Ashoka said. On September 30, the ED filed an enforcement case information report (ECIR) to book the CM and others. The CM is facing allegations of illegalities in the allotment of 14 sites to his wife by the MUDA.