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Karnataka Today newsletter: CM Siddaramaiah dismisses ED letter as effort to ‘influence’ courts, and more

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah described the letter written by Enforcement Directorate (ED) to Karnataka Lokayukta on the alleged irregularities in the allotment of sites by MUDA to his wife Parvathi as an effort to ‘influence’ the courts. He pointed out that the letter by ED comes on the eve of the hearing of his appeal in the MUDA case by a single judge of the Karnataka High Court.

Questioning the ED’s motive behind sending the letter when the Lokayukta was conducting a probe and just before the hearing related to the case in the High Court, Mr. Siddaramaiah said the ED’s letter was ‘prejudicial’ to the probe by Lokayukta police as well as the court hearing. He said the letter sent by ED was ‘politically motivated’ and borne out of ‘political ill-will’.

In a unique order, the Karnataka High Court set up a Special Investigating Team (SIT) comprising officers from both the CBI and the State Police Department to probe the death of a businesswoman. The deceased, accused in an alleged ₹196 crore scam in the Karnataka Bhovi Development Corporation, committed suicide on November 22 allegedly due to torture and demand for bribe by the CID investigating officer during interrogation.

Justice M. Nagaprasanna passed the order while dismissing a petition filed by Deputy Superintendent of Police Kanakalakshmi B.M., who had challenged the registration of FIR against her for abetment to suicide under Section 108 of BNS and under the Prevention of Corruption case.

The District Surgeon of Hassan Dr. H.C. Lokesh , who was removed from the post by the Department of Medical Education (DME) following complaints by women staff, continues in the post, thanks to a letter by Hassan Deputy Commissioner C. Sathyabhama , citing an ‘oral instruction’ from the minister in-charge of the district K.N. Rajanna.

Dr. Lokesh officer was facing allegations of using abusive language against women staff and making inappropriate physical contact at the workplace. Following the complaints, the DME set up a panel to probe the allegations. The inquiry panel, which submitted its report in September 2024, reportedly recommended action against him.

Homebuyers are demanding that the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) - Karnataka be given executive powers to recover revenue or assets from developers whose projects are stuck or inordinately delayed, to compensate homebuyers. Currently, Real Estate Appellate Tribunal - Karnataka (K-REAT) passes orders for revenue recovery. However, due to laxity of officials, K-REAT orders have been rendered ineffective.