Mysuru (Karnataka): Social activist Snehamayi Krishna has been booked by police based on a complaint filed by a Congress leader who alleged that he had spread false information against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to create fear among people.

The case was registered on Tuesday night on the complaint by Congress Karnataka unit spokesperson Lakshman M, who alleged that Krishna made false statements with regard to the MUDA ‘scam’ case against the Chief Minister in his Facebook post in order to defame him, police said.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is facing accusations of illegal activity in allotting 14 sites to his wife, Parvathi B M, by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA). 

The Lokayukta police in Mysuru registered an FIR on September 27 naming Siddaramaiah as accused number 1. 

The FIR also includes his wife Parvathi, his brother-in-law Mallikarjuna Swamy, and Devaraju — who sold land to Swamy, which was later gifted to Parvathi.

In a social media post, Krishna alleged, “the Tehsildar had paid the registration fees while registering the sale deed in favour of Parvathi.”

A police official said, “The case was registered at the Devaraja police station here under section 353(1)(b), pertaining to making and circulating false information, rumour with an intent to cause fear among people that can induce a person to commit an offence against the State or against the public tranquility.”

The Karnataka High Court recently issued a notice to Siddaramaiah and others in response to a petition filed by Krishna, asking to transfer the case to the CBI.

Justice M Nagaprasanna also notified Parvathi, Swamy, the Union of India, the State government, CBI, Lokayukta, and others. 

The court directed the Lokayukta to submit records of the investigation so far and scheduled the next hearing for November 26.

(With PTI inputs)