Bengaluru, Dec 19 (Represesntative) In a stunning development, RTI activist Snehamayi Krishna has alleged that he was offered a large sum of money to withdraw his complaint in connection with the controversial Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) land scam and saree distribution scandal implicating the family of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.Krishna, who has filed complaints with the Lokayukta and Enforcement Directorate (ED), claimed that individuals close to Siddaramaiah’s family allegedly attempted to bribe and intimidate him in a bid to halt the investigations. The MUDA land scam revolves around the allocation of 14 plots by the Mysore Urban Development Authority. The issue has sparked significant public outrage, with concerns over potential favoritism, corruption, and irregularities in the land distribution process. Krishna’s complaint demands a comprehensive investigation into the land allocation, specifically calling for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry. He alleged, “At first, they attempted to bribe me. When that failed, it seems the Chief Minister is using his influence to intimidate me and fabricate charges against me.” “They tried to pressure me into withdrawing my complaint. When I refused, the harassment escalated, with continued efforts to intimidate both me and my family,” the RTI activist further stated. Krishna’s allegations indicate that the efforts to silence his complaint were orchestrated by individuals connected to the Chief Minister’s family, namely Harsha and local journalist Srinidhi.
He recounted, “During our meeting, Harsha told me that the CBI probe was their issue, and I shouldn’t concern myself with it.”However, Harsha has vehemently denied any involvement in the matter, distancing himself from the allegations.To back his claims, Krishna has presented CCTV footage and call recordings, which he argues provide solid evidence of the bribery and pressure tactics employed. He has appealed to the authorities to take swift action to investigate these allegations and bring the culprits to justice.In addition to the land scam, Krishna’s complaint also touches upon the saree distribution scandal that emerged during the Karnataka Assembly election. Allegations have surfaced that sarees were distributed to voters in the Varuna constituency, an act allegedly aimed at influencing the electoral outcome. He claimed that efforts were made to bribe him to withdraw his complaint concerning the saree distribution, which he argues constitutes a clear example of electoral malpractice and misuse of power. The controversy surrounding these two scams has sparked fresh scrutiny of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s family, raising questions about the ethical practices within Karnataka’s political establishment. The timing of the allegations, coupled with the significant evidence presented by Krishna, has intensified calls for an independent investigation into both the MUDA land scam and the saree distribution scandal.The latest revelations have added to the growing concerns about corruption and the misuse of power in Karnataka politics. Critics of the government have demanded a transparent and unbiased investigation, urging authorities to ensure that justice is served. The claims have also put the Chief Minister under renewed pressure, with opposition parties calling for accountability and an investigation that is free from political influence.