Problems look far from ending for Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) as the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau on Friday lodged a third FIR against the cricketing body for illegally felling large numbers of pine trees during the construction of high end resort called Hotel Pavilion in Dharamshala.

Vigilance lodged the FIR against HPCA and others under relevant Sections of Prevention of Corruption Act and IPC at Dharamshala. “Officials said that during the course of investigation of case FIR no. 12/2013, registered against HPCA and officials of Revenue department for committing irregularities in lease of land to HPCA, some new facts surfaced and hence fresh FIR was lodged,” said ADGP (Vigilance) Prithvi Raj. “It has come to the notice of investigating officer that large number of pine trees are standing on the land allotted on lease for Hotel Pavilion of HPCA. As per the present report of divisional forest officer, total of 2,023 trees are standing on the land leased out to HPCA,” said an official of bureau.

He added that revenue officials, who demarcated this land, before the allotment to HPCA had not mentioned in their report that the land was having many pine trees. While giving NOC, the then range officer and divisional forest officer, Dharamshala had also not mentioned about the existence of trees in their reports and mentioned that it was a grassland without trees.

Officials said that in view of above facts, it has been alleged that undue favour has been given to HPCA by the officials of Revenue and Forest department and wrongful loss have occurred to the Government exchequer as allegedly large number of trees have been felled by HPCA, during the construction of Hotel Pavilion.

Two FIRs have already lodged against HPCA and its officials for committing irregularities in the conversion of society into non-profit company and for encroaching a piece of State Government land.

Both State Government and HPCA are fighting a legal battle in the High Court and in the court of registrar of societies. The High Court had recently asked the State Government to maintain status quo ante on the properties of HPCA across the State which were taken over by the Government in midnight action.