Lokayukta team in City to probe Dhar Kothi scam

A TEAM of Lokayukta officials is learnt to have arrived at IMC headquarters yesterday seeking documents pertaining to the infamous Dhar Kothi Colony scam and particulars of service records of the officials named in the case.

A TEAM of Lokayukta officials is learnt to have arrived at IMC headquarters yesterday seeking documents pertaining to the infamous Dhar Kothi Colony scam and particulars of service records of the officials named in the case.

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The scam, dating back to the Digvijay Singh regime, allegedly witnessed land in the posh Residency area valued at crores of rupees being sold to a builder at throwaway prices.

The role of former IMC City Engineer Jagdish Dagaonkar, engineer Gyanendra Singh Jadon and Ashwin Janwade came under the scanner after the scam was reported in local dailies following which the Lokayukta began an investigation. Jadon, it may be noted, is currently under suspension for selling off land meant for setting up goshalas (cattle pens), while Dagaonkar is currently serving as City Planner in Jabalpur.

During today’s visit the Lokayukta squad is learnt to have upbraided the IMC administration for furnishing incorrect and misleading information in response to its queries for the appointment date of the accused officials.

According to IMC sources the investigators demanded service particulars of the three officials including date of appointment, first posting, length of tenure and retirement date.

Panicked by the sudden arrival of the investigating team, IMC officials and employees laboured all through yesterday to dig up the necessary records. Records on the sale of land were seized by the Lokayukta when the scam first surfaced in 2001.