SC verdict in MUDA case a slap on Centre's 'vendetta politics': CM

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday said the Supreme Court's dismissal of the ED's appeal to investigate his wife Parvathi B M, in connection with the MUDA site allotment case, is a "slap on the face" of the central government's "vendetta politics". Hailing the SC judgment, the CM said it should serve as a wake-up call for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the alleged misuse of central agencies for "political gain".

“The Supreme Court's historic verdict rejecting the Enforcement Directorate's appeal to investigate my wife, Smt. Parvathi, in connec tion with the MUDA site allotment case is a resounding slap on the face of the Central Government's vendetta politics,” Siddaramaiah said in a post on ‘X'.

“This verdict has not only exposed the malice behind the case but has also unequivocally cleared our names of all the base less allegations,” he added.

Siddaramaiah said the ruling upheld his belief in the Constitution and the rule of law, which he has followed throughout his political career. The CM charged that the BJP and its allies, which were unable to defeat him politically, “stooped to misusing constitutional agencies like the CBI and ED to fabricate baseless cases” against his wife and harass his family. He termed the case against him as a "disgraceful and cow ardly act".

“The mental agony we have been subjected to will forever remain a painful chapter in our lives. The words spoken by Honourable Chief Justice B R Gavai reflect the voice of my con science and of every Constitution-believing In dian.”

Siddaramaiah said the electoral battles must be fought through the people, not through the mis use of institutions like the ED. This is the voice of justice rising against tyranny. This verdict re stores faith in the judiciary, espe cially among all those who have fallen victim to the BJP's po litical witch-hunt using IT, CBI, and ED over the past 10 to 11 years, he alleged.

“Even now, after this eye opening judgment, Prime Minister @narendramodi and Home Minister @AmitShah must wake up and stop weaponising constitu tional agencies for political gain. It is time they restore the autonomy of these institutions and cleanse themselves of the sins of political misuse,” he remarked. The CM also demanded an apology from the BJP and its ally JD(S) leaders in Karnataka, stating that they had relentlessly hurled fabricated allegations at him and his family in connection with the MUDA case.

“If they have even an ounce of dignity or shame left, they must come forward and publicly apol ogise for their baseless accusations,” Siddaramaiah said. Earlier in a statement, the Chief Minister welcomed the Supreme Court verdict. Referring to media reports, the statement read: “Supreme Court upholds judgment of the High Court quashing ED notice in Parvathi and Byrathi Suresh MUDA Case.

SLPs dismissed. Court cautioned about making adverse remarks against ED. They stated that matter must not be politicised. Fight your battles before the electorate. Dismissed as they find no fault in the learned single judge's order. Justice has prevailed and ED interference has been put to an end in MUDA case.

”The statement also called the ruling a step towards justice and a blow to "politically motivated in terference". The MUDA (Mysuru Urban Devel opment Authority) case involves alleged irregularities in land allot ted to Parvathi, wife of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. It is alleged that compensatory sites were allotted to Parvathi in an upmarket area in Mysuru.