CBI gets time till October to submit probe report
CHANDIGARH:The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has sought more time from the Supreme Court to submit a final investigation report in the initiation of land acquisition process for 1,400 acres and passing of final award for 87 acres in Gurugram under the previous Congress government.
The apex court had on November 1, 2017 ordered that CBI to probe the matter and submit a report within six months (by May 30, 2018). The CBI in the meantime submitted a report in the sealed cover before the Supreme Court.
On August 31, the central investigation agency filed an application before the apex court seeking two months’ extension to prepare and file the final report. The extension of time (till October 31) was granted by the apex court.
The previous Congress government had issued a notification under Section 4 to acquire 1,400 acres of land for developing and its utilisation of residential Sector 58-63 and commercial Sectors 65-67 in Gurugram by the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) in June 2009. The land sought to be acquired were in villages namely Badshapur, Behrampur, Nangli Umarpura, Tigra, Ullahwas, Kadarpur, Ghatta and Medawas of Gurugram.
However, while issuing the declaration under Section 6 on June 2, 2010, the total area was reduced to about 800 acres only. Finally, the award dated May 29, 2012 was passed for less than 87 acres only.
Some of the land owners filed petitions challenging the acquisition proceedings before the Punjab and Haryana high court. Adjudicating a bunch of aforesaid petitions by the land owners, the HC held that the ulterior object behind acquiring land for public utilities was to enable the private builders in exploiting commercially every inch of their own land and maximising their profits.
The HC had said the power of eminent domain was invoked by the state to acquire more than 1,400 acres for purpose of developing several residential and commercial sectors in Gurgaon.
UDDAR GAGAN CASE
A retired judge of the Punjab and Haryana high court, justice RS Madan, appointed to inquire the actions leading to the release of about 400 acres in Rohtak and grant of colonisation licence on 280 acres to realtor Uddar Gagan during the rule of previous Congress regime, has also been given an extension till October 24 to complete the inquiry. The state government had in July made a plea before the SC for grant of three months to complete the proceedings. About 850 acres was proposed to be acquired in 2002 for residential and commercial sectors in Rohtak by HUDA. However, the award was passed for about 422 acres in April 2005.
A realtor, Uddar Gagan Properties Limited, in March 2005 entered into collaboration agreements with some farmers whose land was under acquisition for development of a colony. The developer had applied for a licence to develop a colony on about 280 acres.
The licences were granted by the town and country planning director in June 2006 and corresponding land was released from acquisition. The licences were addressed to the owners but remitted to the builder.
JUSTICE RS MADAN (RETD) ALSO GETS MORE TIME TO INQUIRE INTO UDDAR GAGAN CASE