Fresh AAP-Centre row: ACB chief orders probe into plot conversion

A senior officer in the ACB said Meena ordered the probe after the anti-corruption body received a complaint of alleged irregularities.

ACB chief M K Meena.

In a fresh tussle with the AAP government, Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) chief M K Meena has ordered a “preliminary inquiry” into the alleged conversion of industrial plots from leasehold to freehold in 2011-12. At that time, C B Sanghi was CMD of the Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC) Ltd.

The Delhi government, however, said all rules were followed for converting the plots from leasehold to freehold and that it was done after receiving conversion charges approved by the Lt-Governor.

A senior officer in the ACB said Meena ordered the probe after the anti-corruption body received a complaint of alleged irregularities.

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Sanghi is currently principal secretary, vigilance. Sources said Delhi-based advocate and RTI activist Vivek Garg had lodged the complaint with the ACB.

“While Sanghi was the CMD of DSIIDC in 2011-12, conversion of industrial plots to freehold was allowed. No permission was taken from the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) or the Lt-Governor, which is mandatory,” the officer added.

“In his complaint, Garg has questioned why no permission was taken from the DDA or the Lt-Governor,” the officer said.

Meanwhile, Shakuntala Gamlin, principal secretary in the Delhi government, has written to the Lt-Governor, accusing Industries Minister Satyendra Jain of putting pressure on her to submit a “note” proposing conversion of industrial plots from leasehold to freehold.

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“Somehow in the past, due to oversight or otherwise, some conversion of industrial plots have been ordered in Delhi without the involvement of the DDA and the matter is said to be under scrutiny of the Vigilance department,” the letter says.

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