Haryana should register FIR in all multiple allotments: HC

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab and Haryana high court on Thursday said that Haryana should register FIRs into all multiple allotments of flats or plots done in the past three decades.

The high court single judge bench of justice Daya Chaudhary was hearing a petition on the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) scam in which lakhs of allotments of plots and flats for residential purposes across Haryana are under scanner. These allotments were made under reserved category of employees, ex defence personnel among others.

Two lawyers Harmanjit Singh Sethi and Narender Singh Hooda, who appeared on behalf of some allottees, said that court has stated that FIRs should be registered in any allotment of flat or plot against the policy. “Court has clarified that only one allotment of flat or plot is allowed as per policy of HUDA. Above first allotment of flat or plot, if there is any allotment of either of these, an FIR should be registered,” the duo said.

Haryana advocate general, BR Mahajan, who appeared on behalf of the state, could not be reached for comments. Thursday’s order may spell trouble for several bureaucrats, politicians and other VIPs, who were not booked by Haryana so far, arguing that the allotments were in accordance with the changes made in policies from time to time.

Initial policy of HUDA allowed only one flat or plot. However, changes were made in policies from time to time allowing one flat with one plot or vice versa.

But the petitioners have been arguing that policies were tailored to benefit high-profile persons.

During the hearing on Thursday, the high court was informed by Haryana that it has registered 1954 FIRs so far, including 112 FIRs that were registered in the past one month.

These include 59 FIRs registered by Panchkula police in which a former judge JM Tandon and former bureaucrat RL Sudhir have been booked. The court was also told that a former DGP rank officer, Parminder Rai too has been booked for multiple allotment.