MUDA case: Karnataka HC stays ED summons to CM Siddaramaiah’s wife, minister Byrathi Suresh

Bengaluru: The High Court of Karnataka on Monday stayed the summons issued by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s wife Parvathi B M and Urban Development and Town Planning Minister Byrathi Suresh.

Last week, the central agency summoned Parvathi and Suresh to present evidence and record statements in connection with a money laundering probe linked to the MUDA site allotment case.

Suresh was directed to appear at the ED’s Bengaluru office on Monday, while Parvathi was asked to appear on Tuesday. The summons were issued by V Muralikannan, Assistant Director (Bengaluru Zonal Office).

This was the second instance of Parvathi being summoned by the ED.

Suresh, who was summoned for the first time, had sought time until February 10, citing personal commitments.

In an interim order issued on Monday, Justice M Nagaprasanna, however, stayed the summons and adjourned the hearing until February 10, 2025.

During the hearing, senior advocate Sandesh Chouta, representing Parvathi, argued that a coordinate bench of the high court had earlier in the day quashed an identical summons issued to former MUDA commissioner D B Natesh. He noted that the detailed order in that case was yet to be released.

Senior advocate C V Nagesh, who appeared for Suresh, submitted that his client had been summoned despite not being named in the FIR.

He also informed the court that Suresh was occupied with preparations for his son’s wedding.

In his rebuttal response, Additional Solicitor General Aravind Kamath, appearing for the ED, stated that while the chief minister’s wife was indeed an accused (number 2) in the FIR (predicate offence), the agency has the power under Section 50 (2) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act to summons anyone for evidence collection concerning a predicate offence.

Justice Nagaprasanna, however, rejected the ASG’s argument noting that such actions could frustrate the ongoing proceedings before the court seeking to transfer the investigation to the CBI.

“Since this court is seized of the entire proceeding and this court itself has directed to extend the time for the Lokayukta to file its report till the pronouncement of the order permitting summons so issued by the ED would undoubtedly frustrate the proceeding pending before this court. Therefore, there shall be an interim order of stay as prayed for till the next date of hearing,” Justice Nagaprasanna said.