The Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) has agreed to take back 14 controversial land plots from BN Parvathi, wife of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
The decision follows Parvathi’s offer to return the plots, citing her conscience as the driving factor.
The plots, located in prime areas of Vijayanagar Phase 3 and 4 in Mysuru, were originally allotted as compensation for the use of 3.16 acres of land in Kesare village. The transaction has been at the center of an alleged scam, with an anti-corruption activist claiming it resulted in a Rs 45 crore loss to the state.
Siddaramaiah is currently under investigation by the Lokayukta and the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the case.
MUDA Commissioner AN Raghunandan stated on Tuesday that legal provisions allow for the repossession of the plots, and a panel of advocates reviewed the situation before concluding that the sale deed would be canceled. He emphasized that this decision is unrelated to ongoing investigations, but MUDA will notify investigators if the land is to be reassigned in the future.
In her letter, Parvathi explained that she had considered returning the plots earlier but was advised against it due to the political motivations behind the allegations. She expressed her desire to protect her husband's honor, saying, "To me, no house, plot, or wealth is more important than my husband's dignity and peace of mind. Throughout his 40-year political career, he has upheld a strict code of ethics."
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah clarified that the decision to return the land was entirely his wife’s and maintained that the land, originally gifted to Parvathi by her brother, had been encroached upon by MUDA. He asserted his innocence, adding, "The land was de-notified by former BJP Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, not by me."
However, Karnataka BJP chief BY Vijayendra, son of Yediyurappa, questioned the move, suggesting that it was a tacit admission of wrongdoing and likely orchestrated by Siddaramaiah himself. "What has changed overnight?" Vijayendra asked.