More ‘discrepancies’ surface,SIT to confront bigwigs

An investigation held by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has discovered serious discrepancies in the declaration of properties owned by higher-ups in the periphery of Chandigarh. A report to this effect,identifying the properties which do not find a mention in the declaration by officers,has been prepared by SIT.

This report will shortly be submitted to the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Sources have revealed that SIT is yet to submit a final report,as demanded by the Court,since IAS/PCS officers and politicians are yet to be confronted with the findings of the report.

As per available information,responses have been sought from the big-wigs,the replies are yet to come.

“We have found out certain properties which do not find a mention in the declaration of properties owned by several officers. Since the declaration of properties by certain individuals is not in consonance with those owned by them,we have to seek their explanation” said a senior officer.

He also said that the Special Investigation Team has found out more properties and gathered data as compared to the investigation conducted by the former investigating officer Chander Shekhar,who retired as Director General of Police (DGP),Railways.

The report will be placed on record for perusal before the High Court.

A suo motu cognizance was taken by Justice Ranjit Singh of the High Court on the issue of alleged illegal properties owned by higher-ups in the periphery of Chandigarh.

Nexus of Land Mafia and Authorities

Distraught over the “non-cooperative” attitude of various departments of the Punjab government and claiming that there is “a nexus of land mafia with some politicians,bureaucrats,police officers,” Chander Shekhar had requested the High Court to hand over the investigation of the case to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

However,the investigation was handed over to an Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) who had requested the High Court to constitute a SIT.

Subsequently,a SIT was constituted which was to be monitored by S C Agarwal,Chief Secretary,Punjab.

One of the reports submitted by Chander Shekhar reported that a total of 4,719 acres of land in the periphery is in illegal possession. The said land is located in Majri,Kharar and Dera Bassi and a total of 31 cases are pending in various courts.

Also,Shekhar had submitted that in total there are 2,455 violators out of which action has only been taken against 690 violators.

Prior to his retirement,Shekhar had suggested that “any high rise development being done over and above the Capital Complex in its North will be detrimental in view of entire urban segment”.

He had further requested the High Court to pass orders for only planned development that should be allowed for residential,commercial,industrial,educational,recreational areas in the Local Planning Areas of Naya Gaon,Mullanpur,Mohali,Kharar,Banur,Zirakpur and Dera Bassi with full security of all the strategic points nearby,by formulating short terms and long term action plans.

In his investigation,Chander Shekhar had revealed 49 properties belonging to various higher-ups.