New Delhi, Oct 6 (UNI) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached 34 immovable properties, including Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) sites with a market value of Rs. 40.08 crore, in connection with the MUDA scam case, an official said today.
The ED initiated its investigation based on a First Information Report (FIR) registered by the Lokayuktha Police in Mysuru concerning a large-scale scam in the allotment of sites by the MUDA.
The probe revealed the routing and layering of undue gratification obtained by GT Dinesh Kumar, the former Commissioner of MUDA, the official said.
These proceeds of crime were used to purchase immovable properties in the names of Kumar’s relatives and associates. The investigation further uncovered the illegal allotment of 31 MUDA sites by GT Dinesh Kumar.
The ED conducted searches in the case on October 18 and October 28, 2024.
These searches revealed that the sites were allotted in gross violation of the Karnataka Urban Development Authorities (Allotment of Sites instead of Compensation for Land Acquired) Rules, 2009 — as amended in 2015 — and the Karnataka Urban Development Authority (Incentive Scheme for Voluntary Surrender of Land) Rules, 1991.
Furthermore, the search action uncovered a deep nexus between MUDA officers/officials and real estate businessmen. Evidence also revealed cash payments were made for the allotment of sites as compensation and for the approval of layouts.
Earlier in the case, the ED had provisionally attached a total of 252 illegally allotted MUDA sites. GT Dinesh Kumar, who orchestrated the large-scale illegal allotments, was arrested under the provisions of the PMLA, 2002 on September 16, 2024.
He has currently been remanded to judicial custody. So far, proceeds of crime with a market value of approximately Rs. 440 crore have been attached under the PMLA. Further investigation is ongoing.
