Haryana IAS overturns controversial 2023 order on sale of Panchkula land

Ambala Divisional Commissioner Sanjeev Verma has overturned a controversial order issued in 2023 by the then Divisional Commissioner Renu Phulia. The order had lifted a more than two-decade-old stay on the sale and purchase of a 14-acre land parcel near Panchkula, originally belonging to an erstwhile king.

Phulia had then decided on a petition — filed by Prithvi Raj Chhabra, brother of former additional chief secretary Shashi Gulati — in just 15 days. Within a few months of her order, her husband and state information commissioner SS Phulia, and son Nilanchal had decided to buy five acres of the said land. Both Phulia and her husband have since retired.

In his quasi-judicial order dated August 19, Verma said: “…from the material placed on record on behalf of state it is clear that the then Ld. Presiding Officer (Renu Phulia) had personal interest in the matter and had already entered into an agreement to purchase the aforesaid land from the petitioners on June 20, 2023 whereas the present petition has been filed on August 28, 2023…”