FIR against ex-DDA official for taking bribe

Seven years ago, their hutments in two slums were demolished with authorities promising them land at another place but a government official's alleged insistence that they pay him bribe has left them in lurch.

Seven years ago, their hutments in two slums were demolished with authorities promising them land at another place but a government official's alleged insistence that they pay him bribe has left them in lurch.

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On the complaint made by NGO Hazards Centre on behalf of 77 slum dwellers of Banuwal Nagar and Sawan Parket, the police on Thursday registered a case under Prevention of Corruption Act for allegedly demanding and accepting money against a former Delhi Development Authority (DDA) official.

In the complaint filed by Dunu Roy of the NGO, it was claimed that their hutments were demolished in 2006 and were sent to Bawana for rehabilitation and resettlement, a senior police official said.

According to the complaint, the slum dwellers had applied for allotment of plot along with proper documents but the DDA official, who retired as an assistant director, demanded bribe ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 35,000.

Investigators said initially they could not get in touch with the 77 complainants as there were no means to reach to them.

The police managed to trace seven people mentioned in the complaint. Two of them told police that the official demanded money and also accepted bribe from them.

"None of these people have got the allotment of land. This is despite the Lt Governor instructing the authorities todo so in last March," Roy said.