Taking a u-turn in an inquiry into the licences related to land acquisition granted to Uddar Gagan Properties in Rohtak, the Manohar lal Khattar Government in Haryana has appointed Justice RS Madan (retd.) as One- Man Commission to carry out an inquiry and make recommendations.
Chief Minister Manohar lal Khattar had on March 13 informed the Haryana Assembly about his government’s decision to refer two cases of land acquisition irregularities — Rohtak’s Uddar Gagan case adjudicated by the Supreme Court in May 2016 and Sonepat land release case — to the Central Bureau of Investigation for probe.
However, the State Government has now appointed a retired judge to probe the matter.
In the Uddar Gagan case, around 850 acres of land was proposed to be acquired in 2002 for residential and commercial sectors in Rohtak by Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA). However, 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 land covering about 280 acres.
After this, the licences were granted by the Town and Country Planning Department in June 2006 and corresponding land was released from acquisition. The licences were addressed to the owners but remitted to the builder. This was followed by execution of sale deeds in favour of the builder through power-of-attorney holder of the land owners.
An official spokesman of Haryana Government said that all persons having knowledge of the facts and circumstances relating to the terms of reference of the inquiry into this matter and having interest in the proceedings before the One-Man Commission or who wish to assist the Commission, should submit their statements, along with documentary evidence, in support thereof duly supported by an affidavit in a format generally acceptable in a Court of law of India and sworn and verified by the deponent.
He said that the statements along with documentary evidence and supportive evidence should be sent to the Secretary to the Commission of Inquiry, HUDA Field Office, Sector-6, Panchkula within 10 days, either in person or through registered post or speed post or courier service to with delivery receipt option, subject to any extension of time by the Commission.