E-Paper
More trouble for Hooda: SC orders CBI probe into Rohtak land release
Haryana ex-CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda faces probe for releasing 422 acres to real estate developer Uddar Gagan Properties Limited
More trouble is in store for former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda. The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered a CBI investigation into the release of land in Rohtak to a real estate developer, Uddar Gagan Properties Limited, during the Congress rule under Hooda.
About 850 acre was proposed to be acquired in 2002 for residential and commercial sectors in Rohtak by the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA). However, the award was passed for 422 acre in April 2005. A realtor, Uddar Gagan Properties Limited, in March 2005 entered into collaboration agreements with some farmers, whose land was under acquisition, for development of a colony.
The developer had applied for a licence to develop a colony on land covering 280 acres. The licences were granted by the town and country planning director in June 2006 and the corresponding land was released from acquisition.
The licences were addressed to the owners but remitted to the builder. This was followed by execution of sale deeds in favour of the builder through power-of-attorney holder of the land owners.
In May 2016, the apex court quashed the land released from acquisition and transferring developer’s licences to HUDA.
In its May 13, 2016, order the SC had asked the state government to inquire into the legality and bona fides of the action of the persons responsible for illegally entertaining the applications of the builder and releasing the land to it, when it had no title to the land on the date of notification under Section 4 and proceed against them in accordance with the law.
Despite announcing on the floor of the assembly on March 13, 2018, that the government has decided to refer the Uddar Gagan matter to the CBI, chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar had backed down and instead ordered an inquiry by retired judge, justice RS Madan.
The retired judge’s report gave a clean chit to officials of town and country planning department at the headquarters and in the field, officials of the urban estates department, stating that nothing has come on record to doubt the bona fides of these officials on official files. This report was accepted by the state government after taking legal opnion from the advocate general.
Justice (retd) Madan had also recommended another inquiry by a senior financial commissioner rank officer into the role of land acquisition officer (LAO), estate officer of HUDA and office of the Rohtak deputy commissioner regarding delivery of possession of the acquired land. This inquiry was done by senior IAS officer Anurag Rastogi, who concluded that no act of omission or commission can be attributed to the then Rohtak deputy commissioner, sub divisional magistrate, tehsildar, kanungo and other officials of DC office.
Rastogi’s report also said there was no illegality about the actions of the LAO, estate officer and officials of the DC office.
The matter was first probed by retired IAS officer Rajan Gupta, who only pointed to a systemic failure in the entire episode and did not fix anyone’s responsibility. Gupta’s report was not accepted by the state government.
‘SC HAS DONE WHAT BJP GOVT IN HARYANA FAILED TO DO’
Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) general secretary Abhay Chautala on Wednesday said that the Supreme Court has done what the BJP government in Haryana has failed to do.
Reacting to the apex court’s directions for a CBI investigation in the Uddar Gagan matter, the former leader of Opposition said he had in 2018 raised objection on the volte face done by Khattar in ordering a probe by a retired HC judge instead of a CBI probe.
Abhay had in 2018 written to the Haryana assembly speaker seeking action against the CM for committing contempt of the state assembly by backing off from fulfilling the “solemn assurance to the House” that a CBI probe will be ordered in the matter.
BOX:
Status of cases against Hooda:
Manesar land scam: CBI and ED have filed chargesheets in the trial court
AJL plot restoration case: CBI and ED have filed chargesheets. High court has stayed trial proceedings in CBI case
Gurugram land release case: Chargesheet filed by the CBI. Hooda named in the FIR but is not an accused in the chargesheet. Investigations still on. Charges yet to be framed by the court
Panchkula industrial plot allotment case: ED has filed prosecution complaint (a chargesheet) under Prevention of Money Laundering Act in the trial court against Hooda and 21 others. CBI yet to file one as it is still investigating
