Moving against Robert Vadra, former judge to probe Gurgaon’s Sector 83 land deals

The Justice S N Dhingra commission has been asked to look into land deals in Sector 83, Gurgaon, during Congress rule in the state. At least 16 licences issued by the Town and Country Planning Department in Sector 83 will be under scrutiny.

It is alleged that beneficiaries of the Sector 83 licences and land deals include Vadra’s M/s Skylight Hospitality.

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When contacted, Vadra’s lawyer Suman Khaitan said: “…the commercial licence for 2.70 acres to Skylight Hospitality… was completely transparent and in accordance with 1975 Act and Govt policy… We hope that (the probe) will not be used… for political vendetta.”

Justice Dhingra, who retired as judge of the Delhi High Court, handled several high profile cases and, as trial court judge, delivered the verdict in the Parliament attack case. He also fast-tracked the Nitish Katara murder case and the 1984 anti-Sikh riots cases.

In a statement, the Haryana government said: “The inquiry by the commission shall be in regard to complaints or allegations that may be made before the commission by any individual, group of individuals, entity or association in such form, as may be specified by the commission.”

“Commission would also probe their subsequent transfer or disposal, allegations of private enrichment, ineligibility of beneficiaries under the rules, and other connected matters. Issues concerning public importance related to the grant of licenses and alleged illegalities have come to the notice of the state government. The commission will submit its report to the state government as soon as possible but not later than six months from the date of its first sitting.”

The terms of reference state: “The commission shall make an inquiry and give its findings and recommendations with respect to the following matters, namely: the circumstances under which license(s) for development of commercial colonies were granted to some entities in sector 83, Gurgaon; whether the said entities were eligible for grant of license(s) as per the applicable laws, rules, circulars, notifications, guidelines etc. prevalent in the state of Haryana including in the Department of Town and Country Planning, Haryana; whether the transfer of licenses by the original licencee within a short period of time to other entities was violative of law, rules, circulars, notifications and/or guidelines etc; and whether the Town and Country Planning Department had contemplated the transactions that had taken place before or after the grant of license, particularly with reference to the loss of revenue to government.”