The Karnataka High Court has declared the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) search and seizure operation at the residence of Dr. D.B. Natesh, former Commissioner of the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA), as unlawful. Dr. Natesh had filed a petition challenging the legality of the ED's actions, arguing that the agency conducted the raid without adhering to the necessary legal procedures outlined in the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. He contended that the ED failed to record reasons in writing, as mandated by Section 17 of the PMLA, before initiating the search. Additionally, he asserted that no incriminating material was found during the raid, yet he was summoned under Section 50 of the PMLA, which he claimed was contrary to the law.
The court, after reviewing the petition, issued a notice to the ED, directing the agency to provide material demonstrating compliance with the requirements under Sections 17 and 50 of the PMLA. The case has been adjourned for further hearing.
This legal development is part of a broader investigation into alleged irregularities in site allotments by MUDA, which also implicates Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his family members. The ED had previously conducted searches at multiple locations, including the MUDA office in Mysuru, as part of its money laundering probe related to these allegation
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