SIT submits report, names 26 officials
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by the Uttar Pradesh government to probe the irregularities in the map approval of the Emerald Court project in Sector 93A submitted its report to the government on Sunday.
According to the probe report, at least 26 officials of the Noida authority were involved in the sanctioning process. Of the 26 officials, two are already dead, 20 have retired, names of three officials have been proposed for suspension while one officer has already been suspended.
Chairman of the Noida authority Sanjiv Mittal, who is also heading the SIT, said, “Action should be taken against 20 retired officials as per the law and the three officials, who are in service, should be suspended. One official, Mukesh Goyal, who was a manager in the planning department, has already been suspended.”
The SIT has also recommended filing an FIR against four directors of Supertech Limited, two private architects and the 24 Noida officials. The team has also directed the Noida authority to free 7,000 sqr metres of green area in Supertech’s Emerald housing project,
which was encroached upon and merged into the housing project illegally. “We have also directed the Noida authority to act against officials, who were hand in gloves with the Supertech group,” said Mittal.
The SIT was formed on September 2, two days after the Supreme Court ordered the demolition of Apex and Ceyane towers in Supertech’s Emerald Court project over grave violation of building norms. The court said the violation was a result of “nefarious complicity” between the Noida authority and the real estate developer.
The four-member SIT, headed by UP industrial development commissioner Sanjeev Mittal, investigated the role of the officials and fixed responsibility in the matter. The other members of the SIT include additional chief secretary (revenue) Manoj Singh, additional director general (police) Rajeev Sabharwal, and UP’S chief town and rural planner Anup Kumar.
“The action has been recommended according to the provisions of the UP Apartment Act, 2010, and other rules. Now, appropriate action will be initiated according to the Supreme Court order,” said Mittal.
Officials from the Supertech group refused to comment on the matter.