MCD officials allegedly involved, case lodged

Possibly in a first-of -its-kind action, the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) of Delhi government has registered an FIR in connection with rampant illegal construction across the city, especially in the jurisdiction of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).

Possibly in a first-of -its-kind action, the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) of Delhi government has registered an FIR in connection with rampant illegal construction across the city, especially in the jurisdiction of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).

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The ACB received a complaint from Information Commissioner Shailesh Gandhi, who deals with Delhi and MCD related cases at the Central Information Commission (CIC).

Gandhi’s complaint (HT has a copy) mentioned details of several proceedings as part of CIC hearings in which MCD officials admitted to have taken no action even when complainants wrote to them.

He also sent them copies of three CIC orders and a list of 74 properties in two MCD zones in Shahdara. “It is clear from the scale and extent of the illegal construction that they could not have been carried it out without some level of collusion with MCD officials,” Gandhi’s complaint read.

“It appears there is a modus operandi to ensure that illegal buildings can be made without any hindrance,” he said.

“The builder starts constructing the building -- most likely in violation of the law -- and the officials turn a blind eye towards it. No cognisance is taken of any complaint,” he observed. A case has been registered under section 13/1 (d) of Prevention of Corruption Act.

“The FIR mentions 141 properties and other illegal construction across the city, both buildings being built and already built,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (ACB) I.D. Shukla said.

The officials would investigate all government land where construction has been carried out and also evacuate properties (government land, which earlier belonged to people who left India for Pakistan at the time of partition).

“People can send in any information about illegal construction activity to us with detailed evidence at P. O. Box 8610, Civil Lines Post Office, Delhi, PIN--110 054,” Shukla added.

When contacted, MCD Commissioner K.S. Mehra refused to speak on the issue.