Land scam: Probe panel indicts Amar Singh

An UP Govt-appointed inquiry committee has indicted Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh for misusing his position to “illegally” get a plot in the city allotted to him by the LDA, reports Satya Prakash.

An Uttar Pradesh government-appointed inquiry committee has indicted Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh for misusing his position to “illegally” get a plot in the city allotted to him by the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA).

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The R.S. Lakha Committee inquiry report, a copy of which has been filed in the Supreme Court by the Mayawati government, said: “It is clear from the… facts and circumstances that Amar Singh misused his power and post and established collusion with the officers of the Authority and obtained illegal benefits again and again.”

The report by Lakha, principal secretary, Urban Development Department, also indicted then LDA vice-chairman Anil Kumar Gupta, then property officer/joint secretary Pushpa Singh and then section officer Mohsin Maqbool (since retired) for the “illegal” allotment.

According to the report, the plot — E/5/845 Vipul Khand in Gomti Nagar area of Lucknow — was in the Economically Weaker Section category and was allotted to Singh on June 29, 1994 in violation of the rules. In fact, Singh was allotted two properties between June 29, 1994 and July 20, 1994, which was against the rules, the report said.

It recommended cancellation of the plots (the second being B-2/43 Vipul Khand). The second plot was one of two plots allotted to one Aaliya Khatoon that was later purchased by the SP leader.

The Supreme Court is hearing a PIL filed by Vishwanath Chaturvedi, seeking a CBI probe into the LDA land scam.