In a major political development in Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his family have been given a clean chit in the long-debated Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment case, after the state cabinet formally accepted the findings of the Justice PN Desai Commission.

The decision was announced following a cabinet meeting in Bengaluru, where Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil confirmed that the government had accepted the report and its recommendations in full. According to the minister, the report “makes it clear that there is no truth in the allegations made against the Chief Minister and his family” while also recommending action against certain MUDA officials for procedural lapses.

PN Desai Commission Report

The PN Desai Commission, headed by retired Karnataka High Court judge Justice PN Desai, was constituted to examine allegations of irregularities in MUDA site allotments between 2006 and July 2024. The panel submitted its findings in a two-volume report to Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh on July 31, 2025.

The report exonerated Siddaramaiah and his wife Parvathi BM, concluding that the allotment of 14 compensatory plots in Mysuru’s Vijayanagar Layout 3rd and 4th stages was done as per rules and did not involve any illegality.

Background of the MUDA Case

The controversy stems from the MUDA’s 50:50 ratio scheme, where land losers whose property was acquired for residential layouts were compensated with 50% of developed plots in return.

It was alleged that 3.16 acres of land in Kesare village, owned by Siddaramaiah’s wife Parvathi, had been acquired by MUDA for layout development. In return, she was allotted 14 developed plots in a prime area of Mysuru. Critics claimed that the allotment was irregular as:

• The location of the compensatory sites was far more valuable than the acquired land.

• Questions were raised over whether Parvathi had legal title over the original land.

The issue triggered political uproar, with opposition parties accusing the CM of misusing his position to secure prime plots for his family.

Lokayukta Investigation and Earlier Findings

The case had also been probed earlier by the Lokayukta Police, which found insufficient evidence to prove allegations of wrongdoing. In its findings, the Lokayukta cleared Siddaramaiah, his wife Parvathi, his brother-in-law BM Mallikarjun Swamy, and other accused, citing lack of evidence of illegal activity.

Government’s Stand

By accepting the Desai panel’s report, the Karnataka government has sought to settle the controversy. Minister HK Patil reiterated that the findings were categorical in stating that the allegations had no basis. However, he added that the commission did recommend disciplinary and corrective measures against some MUDA officials for procedural shortcomings in land allocation practices.

Political Impact

The clean chit comes as a significant relief for Siddaramaiah, who has faced constant opposition pressure over the MUDA allotments since returning as Chief Minister. While the ruling Congress is expected to project the report as proof of Siddaramaiah’s integrity, opposition parties may continue to use the issue to corner the government politically.

Conclusion

The MUDA site allotment case highlights the complex issues of land acquisition, compensation, and urban development in Karnataka. With both the Lokayukta police and the Desai Commission clearing Siddaramaiah and his family, the government is likely to treat the matter as closed. However, given the political sensitivity around land-related issues in Mysuru and elsewhere, the controversy may not fade entirely from public discourse.

At the heart of the debate lies the question of transparency in urban development authorities and whether compensation schemes like MUDA’s 50:50 model are being implemented fairly. For now, the Desai Commission’s clean chit has given Siddaramaiah a major political reprieve, reinforcing his position both within the Congress and in Karnataka politics.

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