Lokayukta asks councillor to explain plot expansion

Following the complaint,the office of the Lokayukta hired a former Armyman to carry out investigation in the matter. The investigator visited the area six times as a decoy customer to buy property,and spoke to property dealers and residents there.

Following his inquiries,he mentioned in his report that most of the 58 sq yard houses in the colony have been expanded to 80 sq yard plots,while 29 sq yard houses,which are usually corner plots,have been expanded to 150 sq yards.

The current rate of the flats is around Rs 20 to 30 lakh,depending upon the location.

Preeti,the local councillor of Shahdara South Zone,owns a A-99 house. Based on the investigator’s report as well as photographs of the said property,Lokayukta Justice Sarin has sent a notice,summoning her to the Lokayukta office on July 8 to explain the construction.

“If 2,200 others in the area can expand their houses,so can I. I am merely building on the plot I purchased,” councillor Preeti said.

“A few years ago,the media had taken up the issue of illegal encroachment of the properties of Ram Babu Sharma and others,but nothing was done. Nothing would be done now either,” she added confidently.

Lokayukta has also issued orders to the Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi in this regard.