In a stern reprimand to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the Supreme Court on Monday upheld the Karnataka High Court’s decision to cancel summons issued to B.M. Parvathi, wife of Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, in the MUDA land allotment case.
A bench led by CJI B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran observed that the ED must not become a tool for political vendetta. CJI Gavai asked pointedly, “Why are you being used for political battles? Let those be settled by voters.” He even hinted at issuing harsh remarks based on his past experiences in Maharashtra.
Sensing the court’s mood, Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju withdrew the appeal filed by the ED.
The case pertains to alleged irregularities in the allocation of 14 plots by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA). The ED had summoned Parvathi and Minister Byrathi Suresh over suspected money laundering and misuse of authority.
However, in March 2025, the Karnataka HC quashed the summons, stating the ED lacked sufficient evidence under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Parvathi contended that she had surrendered all 14 plots without any monetary gain, and the court agreed that mere allotment does not amount to a crime, especially in absence of a predicate offence.
The Supreme Court validated this stance, asserting there was no legal fault in the High Court’s reasoning, and dismissed ED’s appeal, while warning against its political misuse.
This ruling underscores judicial resistance to the politicisation of investigative agencies, particularly in non-BJP-ruled states.