The Enforcement Directorate has arrested former MUDA Commissioner Dinesh Kumar in an illegal land allotment scam. He is accused of money laundering. The agency will present him before the PMLA court in Bengaluru and seek his custody.
Karnataka: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday arrested former MUDA Commissioner Dinesh Kumar in an illegal land allotment scam. He is accused of being involved in money laundering activities. Officials stated that Kumar will be produced before the special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Bengaluru, where the agency will seek his custody.
The Case Behind the Arrest
The ED stated that this arrest was made during the investigation into the MUDA illegal land allotment case. On Tuesday, the agency searched two residential premises of Dinesh Kumar in Bengaluru. Officials said that crucial documents and electronic evidence were recovered during the search.
The ED is investigating based on an FIR filed by the Karnataka Lokayukta police to ascertain how Dinesh Kumar, during his tenure, earned "substantial illegal gains" through the "large-scale illegal allotment" of MUDA land. Sources in the agency said that the investigation has revealed Dinesh Kumar's active involvement in money laundering activities.
Money Laundering and Illegal Allotment
According to the ED, Dinesh Kumar misused his position as MUDA Commissioner. He illegally allotted land in exchange for "undue benefits". The agency stated that this action is part of an ongoing investigation into irregularities and money laundering in MUDA's land allotment process.
The investigation has also revealed that some of the land parcels were linked to the Chief Minister's family and his close associates. This includes the names of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, his wife B.M. Parvathi, and other relatives. It is being reported that some of these lands were purchased and gifted in the names of these individuals.
Karnataka Government's Response
Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara stated that the recent action taken by the Supreme Court in the MUDA land allotment case demonstrates the strength of the justice system in the country. He informed that the Supreme Court upheld the Karnataka High Court's decision to quash proceedings against B.M. Parvathi in the MUDA case, after questioning the conduct of the ED in politically sensitive matters.
