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Daily Express
7 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
PBS condemns MUDA MP's 'baseless' attack on Sabah Governor
Published on: Tuesday, June 03, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jun 03, 2025 Text Size: PBS Vice President Datuk Johnny Mositun has condemned MUDA MP Amira Aisya for making baseless corruption claims against Sabah Governor Tun Musa Aman, calling her remarks irresponsible and factually wrong. He stressed that Tun Musa was fully acquitted, with charges dropped by the AGC and cleared by Hong Kong's ICAC. Mositun accused Amira of political slander and hypocrisy, noting MUDA's own president has a corruption conviction. 'Public service requires accountability. MUDA must practise what it preaches,' he said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Mint
31-05-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Karnataka: Lokayukta conducts raids on officials, engineers of various departments in Belagavi
Lokayukta on Saturday conducted raids on officials and engineers of various departments in Karnataka's Belagavi. This comes after an raid on January 31 that included Sub-Registrar of Anagol in the district Sachin Munded and veterinary doctor Sanjay Durgannanavar. Lokayukta Superintendent of Police Hanumantaraya-led team had raided in three locations, namely Anigol, Bellad Bagewadi and Harugeri. Raids were conducted at several properties from Raibag Taluk. Both officials were under investigation for allegedly possessing assets disproportionate to their known sources of income, reports said. Manded was under scrutiny over allegations of illegal wealth accumulation. Likewise, Sanjay Annappa Durgannavar, a Veterinary Inspector with the Veterinary Department, was subjected to a raid at his residence in Raibag Taluk. Lokayukta officials were examining documents at both residences in an effort to uncover evidence of corruption. Following the Enforcement Directorate's action in the MUDA scam involving Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, State BJP President BY Vijayendra had hailed it as a 'major victory', stating that the ED investigation revealed "significant corruption" linked to the Chief Minister. The ED attached 142 immovable properties worth ₹ 300 crore in connection with the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) case involving Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and others. The ED's Bangalore Zonal Office carried out the attachment under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. According to the ED, the properties are registered under the names of various individuals operating as real estate businessmen and agents. It had launched its investigation based on a First Information Report (FIR) filed by the Lokayukta Police in Mysuru, invoking various sections of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, against Siddaramaiah and others. Additionally, a Special Court in Bengaluru directed the Karnataka Lokayukta to investigate Siddaramaiah over allegations of irregularities in the allotment of 14 sites valued at ₹ 56 crore to his wife, Parvathi, by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority. According to reports, Siddaramaiah is accused of leveraging his political influence to secure compensation in the form of 14 sites in his wife BM Parvathi's name, in exchange for three acres and 16 guntas of land acquired by MUDA. The land was originally acquired by MUDA for ₹ 3,24,700, while the compensation, 14 sites located in a prime locality, is estimated to be worth approximately ₹ 56 crore.
New Indian Express
30-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
MUDA scam: Complainant moves special court seeking change in investigation officer
BENGALURU: The complainant in the case registered against the alleged irregularities in the allotment of sites to BM Parvathy, wife of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA), moved the special court for the trial of criminal cases against sitting and former MPs/MLAs in Bengaluru seeking directives to change the investigation officer. When the case was taken up for hearing by Special Court Judge Santhosh Gajanan Bhat on Thursday, the complainant, Snehamayi Krishna from Mysuru, argued that the manner in which the investigation is being conducted is totally against the settled principles of law. The investigating agencies cannot exonerate some accused persons against whom a 'B' report (closure) is filed and kept pending investigation with respect to other accused persons, Krishna argued while filing two applications — one under Article 51(A) of the Constitution and another under Section 156(3) of the CrPC requesting the court to issue directives to change the investigating officer. He also filed a memo containing two judgments. Refuting the complainant's submission, the Special Public Prosecutor (SPP), representing the Lokayukta police, said that the investigation is being carried out in accordance with the law and they are awaiting for necessary sanction to proceed further as per the provisions of Section 17(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
News18
23-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
CM Ambitions On Hold? ED Raids Put Spotlight On Karnataka HM Parameshwara's Political Future
Last Updated: Some Congress leaders speculate that Parameshwara is being targeted because he is seen as a potential CM candidate The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids on Wednesday at 16 locations linked to Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara, including several educational institutions — dealing a blow to the Congress leader, who has long projected himself as the Dalit face for the Karnataka Chief Minister's post. Parameshwara has said he will fully cooperate with the ED. However, the raids — and details reportedly emerging from them — are politically significant. ED sources claim that the trust running the educational institutions paid Rs 40 lakh to settle Kannada actor Ranya Rao's credit card bills. This revelation could be particularly damaging for the senior Congressman, who is presently the Karnataka Home Minister and had, in the earlier Congress–JDS coalition government, served as Deputy Chief Minister. But does this episode hurt Parameshwara's chances of succeeding Siddaramaiah as his choice of candidate if there's a leadership change in Karnataka? Senior political analyst Sandeep Shastri says Parameshwara now finds himself cornered. 'He's fighting with his back to the wall. These institutions have been on the ED's radar for some time. Now that this is linked to the Ranya Rao case, it becomes harder to wriggle out. It's a challenge," he said. When the Congress came to power in 2023, there was an informal understanding that Siddaramaiah would eventually hand over the post to Deputy CM DK Shivakumar during the five-year term. However, Congress insiders say there is currently no move from the high command to enforce a change. If the issue arises, they say Siddaramaiah is more likely to recommend Parameshwara — a Dalit leader — as his successor than Shivakumar. On whether the crisis could force Parameshwara to resign now, Shastri said that would depend on how the party handles the situation. When asked whether the Congress would support him the way it backed Siddaramaiah during the MUDA case, Shastri said: 'I doubt it. There is a big difference. The MUDA case didn't involve gold smuggling or financial irregularities tied to hawala routes. The stakes are higher here, and so are the political risks." Among the premises searched were Sri Siddhartha Institute of Technology, Siddhartha Medical College in Tumakuru, Siddhartha Medical College in Begur, and the Sri Siddhartha Academy of Higher Education — a deemed-to-be university where Parameshwara serves as Chancellor. Parameshwara told the media that the ED had sought records spanning four to five years. 'I have asked the staff to cooperate and provide the documents they need. They've questioned our accounts section staff as well," he said. On the Rs 40 lakh allegedly paid towards Ranya Rao's credit card bills, he said, 'I don't want to comment at this point. Let the investigation be completed. They must give us a report. I won't react until then." Ranya Rao, stepdaughter of former DGP K Ramachandra Rao, was arrested on 3 March at Bengaluru International Airport with 14.2 kg of gold bars worth Rs 12.56 crore. Though she was granted bail after the ED failed to file a chargesheet within the stipulated time, she remains in custody under the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act (COFEPOSA). Parameshwara found support in Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar, who defended him and called him a 'clean and honest man." 'He might have given Rs 15–25 lakh to Ranya Rao for a family function or wedding. That doesn't mean he encouraged any illegal activity," Shivakumar told reporters. After visiting Parameshwara's residence, he added, 'We are public figures. We give gifts for marriages and events — Rs 1 lakh, Rs 10 lakh, Rs 5 lakh, Rs 10 lakh. I believe this was a gift. There's nothing wrong with it." Another senior political observer, Prof. Chambi Puranik, said Parameshwara is 'a sophisticated, cultured politician" and has 'qualities of a statesman." However, internal divisions in the Congress have pushed him to the margins. 'There have been ED raids before on his institutions. But this time, getting linked to someone arrested under COFEPOSA complicates matters," Puranik said. So, will this scuttle his chances of succeeding Siddaramaiah? Puranik responds: 'I don't think so. But he may not become CM either." Puranik believes the final call lies with the Congress high command — Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, and a few others. 'Parameshwara may not be elevated to the CM post due to the power struggle between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar. If a reshuffle happens in the coming months, he might be offered the Deputy CM role again. But even that could spark a contest — AICC chief Mallikarjun Kharge's son, Priyank Kharge, is also in the reckoning." Puranik recalled how Siddaramaiah defeated Parameshwara in Koratagere and argued that Shivakumar remains a strong contender. 'If Shivakumar becomes CM, Parameshwara may have to settle for DCM. He is a dyed-in-the-wool Congressman — loyal and original, unlike Siddaramaiah, who has jumped parties before. So, Parameshwara, as a loyal Congressman, may quietly accept whatever the party offers," Puranik said. The analyst added that he sees Karnataka witnessing a change in the Chief Minister's post in the next few months. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published:
Hans India
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
‘Facade for misgovernance': BJP MP slams govt's anniversary celebrations
Mangaluru: As the government marked the second anniversary of the Congress administration led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, BJP MP from Dakshina Kannada, Capt. Brijesh Chowta, launched a scathing attack, calling the celebrations 'hollow' and emblematic of 'two years of misrule, corruption, and stalled development.' In a strongly worded statement, Chowta accused the state government of crippling Karnataka's economy with populist welfare guarantees that, according to him, have pushed the state into a debt trap. 'Behind the mask of guarantees lies an administration that has obstructed Central schemes and paralysed real development,' he said. He went on to allege that the government's tenure has been riddled with controversies, including the MUDA land scam, irregularities in the Valmiki Corporation, KPSC exam paper leaks, and what he described as 'rampant bribery through a 60% commission culture.' Chowta criticised the state's handling of law and order, citing a rise in drug-related crimes, murders, and sexual violence. He also claimed that the state home department had collapsed under political interference. 'This is a government that has failed to rein in radical elements and even allowed anti-national slogans to be raised within the Vidhana Soudha,' he alleged. The MP also accused the Siddaramaiah government of appeasement politics. 'The budget reveals a one-community focus, while Hindu activists are being targeted and their killers allegedly shielded,' he said, referring to the delay in cracking down on extremist groups. On the state's role in the coastal region, Chowta said that Dakshina Kannada had been completely ignored. 'There has been no major budgetary allocation or infrastructure initiative for the district. What we see instead is a blame game directed at the Centre, in an attempt to cover up their own shortcomings.' Chowta also criticised some Congress ministers for 'insensitive statements' on national security issues, such as the recent Pahalgam terror attack, questioning the party's commitment to national interests. 'The Siddaramaiah government's two-year report card only highlights misgovernance, rising prices, debt, and deepening public distrust. There is little to celebrate,' he said.
