ED notices to CM wife, Byrathi political conspiracy, says Shivakumar

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar alleged that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) notices against CM Siddaramaiah’s wife BM Parvati and Minister for Urban Development and Town Planning Byrathi Suresh was a part of a political conspiracy. He made the comments to mediapersons outside his Sadashivanagar residence in Bengaluru on Monday.

“This is all politically-inspired. There were cases registered against me as well in a similar manner. Two institutions (ED and Lokayukta) can’t do this at the same time. There is an investigation happening under the Lokayukta at this time. When this is happening, another institution can’t interfere. There are several judgments on this as well. I’ll first look further into the matter and then speak on it more,” Shivakumar said.

“I’m telling you any two institutions can’t do it (probe) on the same issue. There are various judgments. In my case, CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) and ED were investigating the same thing. There are judgments on this. I’ve cited those judgments in my case. Our stand is very clear. This is all political,” he added. The ED served notices in the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) case. It refers to the case wherein the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s wife Parvati is alleged to have received 14 plots of greater value in compensation for land she lost on the outskirts of Mysuru city.

The exchange cost MUDA more than Rs 40 crore, the Opposition has alleged. The scheme, which dates back to the reign of the BJP State government, compensates people who have lost land to MUDA with either 50 per cent of the developed sites or an alternative plot. The allegation is that several influential people, including political leaders and real estate agents, have received alternative land of much greater worth in areas where land had greater guidance value, resulting in massive losses to MUDA. It is also claimed that a multitude of land losers received more alternative plots than they were entitled to.