The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Haryana authorities has achieved a volte-face with regard to ordering a CBI investigation into the alleged irregularities within the allotment of oustees quota plots in Sectors 2 and 6 of Panchkula’s Mansa Devi Complex in 2014 and 2015.

Dithering for a second time in two years from handing over the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the state authorities has now determined to get it probed by the state vigilance bureau as a substitute.

“The chief minister (CM) has reconsidered the matter. There is no need to refer the matter to the CBI. CM has desired that FIR number 368 and 369 of August 25, 2022, registered at Sector 7 police station, Panchkula, to be transferred to the state vigilance bureau for investigation,” learn the October 21 U-turn orders, issued by chief principal secretary to the CM (CPSCM), DS Dhesi.

Among the 2 first data reviews (FIRs) registered at Panchkula – one pertained to alleged irregularities in allotments of oustee quota plots in Sectors 2 and 6 of Panchkula’s Mansa Devi Complex, and different relating to the lacking unique file.

CM Manohar Lal Khattar had first on June 1, 2020, and in a while August 19, 2022, ordered that the matter be referred to the CBI for investigation. The June 1, 2020, choice taken on file to order a CBI probe by no means received materialised and the file pertaining to the matter went lacking. Then on August 19, 2022, Khattar had ordered registration of a legal case and a reference for a CBI probe within the matter by September 5 in addition to an FIR relating to the lacking unique file.

Haryana meeting speaker had flagged discrepancies

Haryana meeting speaker Gian Chand Gupta, who can be the Panchkula MLA, had identified discrepancies, violation of guidelines and laws within the case. The Speaker, in representations of 2016 and 2020 to the CM, stated that as per the March 4, 2012 HSVP commercial, functions have been invited from the oustees whose land was acquired for Sector 2 and 6 of Mansa Devi Complex (MDC) in Panchkula whereas the plots have been allotted to a few of the oustees of different sectors – Sector 1, 3, 5, 5-A and 5-B of MDC.

“The screening committee, in its assembly held on July 18, 2014, thought-about functions of 129 oustees in opposition to which 49 candidates have been discovered eligible. As in opposition to 49 eligible candidates, a draw was held just for 13 candidates. In truth, the workplace had put up an inventory of 10 plots of 1 kanal every and 21 plots of 10 marlas every whereas it seems from the proceedings on the file that solely 13 slips have been put for simply allotting the 13 plots to candidates. As per an October 29, 2015 noting (after holding of draw on September 8, 2015), it’s recorded that the paperwork of solely 10 candidates have been discovered to be appropriate. The draw committee ought to have thought-about all 49 candidates within the draw. Also, allottees of 9 plots bought off their plots to different individuals residing at far-away locations in different states inside 10 days,” the Speaker wrote alleging misuse of power.

Former HSVP administrator had sought a CBI probe

Sanjeev Verma, an IAS officer who was the administrator, HSVP, Panchkula, when the draw of lots was made, had also sought a CBI probe into the matter. Verma, in 2020 communication to the principal minister, wrote to the secretary of the Speaker that irregularities were levelled false. “The undersigned (Sanjeev Verma) had already made a request to inquire into the matter through CBI if the government feels that irregularities took place in allotment of plots under the oustees policy. After my request, the HUDA chief administrator sent the matter to the CM,” Verma wrote in his communication.

The officer additionally wrote that the CBI ought to probe the investigation that the Panchkula MLA was urgent the HUDA authorities for allotment of a plot in Sector 6, MDC, Panchkula, to Kiran Manchanda, the sister of Gupta’s private assistant DP Soni, whereas she was not eligible and entitled for allotment of plot in Sector 6 as per the oustee coverage. Verma wrote that it must be probed whether or not the 13 plots allotted to farmers below oustees coverage have been usurped by bureaucrats, politicians or property sellers below undue strain and at throwaway costs.