A week after Directorate of Enforcement (ED) officials raided the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) office based on a complaint filed by activist Snehamayi Krishna, the ED conducted fresh raids early Monday at eight locations across Bengaluru and Mysuru.
The searches targeted the residences of former MUDA officials, a builder, a developer, and former zilla panchayat member Rakesh Papanna, who is also a close aide of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The aim was to gather more documents regarding alleged irregularities in site allocations by MUDA.
The ED conducted synchronized operations, raiding locations including a builder’s residence in Bengaluru’s upscale Dollars Colony, a property in JP Nagar, and multiple offices and homes of former MUDA officials, including former commissioner D.B. Natesh in Malleswaram.
The raids reportedly focused on identifying financial discrepancies and reviewing documents related to the 50:50 site allocation scheme, under which MUDA plots were distributed. Significant documents and records were seized during these raids for investigation, according to sources.
Meanwhile, several MUDA staff members have been summoned for questioning at the ED’s Bengaluru office on Monday and Tuesday. Among those summoned is Gangaraju, an RTI activist who had previously complained about records related to site reallocations going missing. He was questioned by the ED and provided documents, including details related to a land purchase by Siddaramaiah’s wife, B.M. Parvathy, which is under ED scrutiny.
Raids were also conducted at the home of builder N. Manjunath, owner of Karthik Developers in Mysuru, who is implicated in the case. Manjunath allegedly bribed MUDA officials during the site allocation for his Karthik Layout in Mysuru. ED officials seized documents from his residence in JP Nagar, Bengaluru, and are examining his business records and bank accounts for potential evidence of financial misconduct.
A team of five officers went to Natesh’s house on 10th Cross in Malleswaram. Natesh, who was present during the raid, was questioned in connection with the case.
ED officials also searched the flat of former MUDA commissioner G.T. Dinesh Kumar at Banaswadi in Bengaluru. When the officials arrived, Dinesh had gone out for a walk but never returned. Consequently, the ED officials could not question him, as he went incommunicado.