Karnataka Cabinet Grants Clean Chit: Siddaramaiah Family Exonerated in Landmark MUDA Land Denotification Case

In a significant political development, the Karnataka Cabinet has officially accepted the Justice K.N. Desai commission report, thereby granting a resounding clean chit to former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his family in the contentious Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) land denotification case.

This decision brings a definitive end to a high-profile controversy that had shadowed Siddaramaiah for years, often serving as a potent weapon for the opposition.

The long-standing case revolved around allegations of illegal denotification of 5 acres and 34 guntas of land located in Survey No.

4 of Alanahalli village, Mysuru district. This land, originally acquired by MUDA in 1980 for urban development, was allegedly denotified during Siddaramaiah's tenure as Chief Minister (2013-2018) at the behest of his son, Dr. Yathindra, and then-Minister Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa. Critics and opposition parties had vehemently accused Siddaramaiah of misusing his power for personal gain and violating established procedures.

To thoroughly investigate the myriad allegations of land denotification under various chief ministers, the Justice K.N.

Desai commission was constituted in 2017. Its mandate was to scrutinize denotifications that occurred between 1999 and 2018, ensuring a comprehensive review of potentially irregular land transactions. The commission's findings, after an exhaustive examination of records and testimonies, have now been formally adopted by the state cabinet.

The Desai Commission's report meticulously detailed that Siddaramaiah did not overstep his authority or violate any existing rules and regulations in the denotification process.

It clarified that the land in question was denotified following an application from a private party, and all due legal procedures were adhered to. Furthermore, the report highlighted that the Karnataka High Court had previously upheld the denotification, reinforcing the legality of the then-Chief Minister's actions.

The acceptance of this report by the present Karnataka government not only vindicates Siddaramaiah but also underscores the adherence to findings of an independent judicial inquiry.

For Siddaramaiah, who has been a prominent figure in state politics, this clean chit removes a major political hurdle and strengthens his standing. The decision effectively closes a chapter of intense political sparring and legal scrutiny, allowing the focus to shift from past allegations to future governance and policy.