By IANS,
Chandigarh : Embarrassed by its own official who Monday ordered the cancellation of the mutation of a prime plot in Gurgaon district sold by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi’s son-in-law Robert Vadra’s company to realty giant DLF for Rs.58 crore, the Haryana government Tuesday evening came up with its own defence to counter assertions made by the officer, Ashok Khemka.
A Haryana government spokesman said Tuesday that Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Khemka, who was removed Oct 11 as director general of land consolidation and land records-cum-inspector-general of registration after he initiated a probe against Vadra’s land deals, claimed that Khemka’s transfer was done “in compliance” of the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s directions.
However, Khemka contested the defence.
“The court’s directions were only regarding the post of special collector, a relatively junior post, which I held as additional charge,” he said Tuesday.
The spokesman further claimed that Khemka himself had written to the Haryana chief secretary, requesting that he be relieved of the additional charge.
“The orders regarding alleged undervaluation of property were issued on Oct 12 and cancellation of mutation was ordered on Oct 15, both after his transfer on Oct 11. The transfer of Khemka was neither out of any malice nor done abruptly but arose out of the above mentioned administrative exigency (high court order),” the spokesman claimed.
The spokesman also refuted the claim of Khemka, under which he cancelled the mutation of the land deal between Vadra’s company and DLF Monday (Oct 15), saying that under notified rules, tehsildars (revenue officials) are authorised to register land documents.
He further said that across Haryana, assistant consolidation officers have been sanctioning mutations, as was done in the Vadra-DLF case and nothing illegal was done.
“Director General, Consolidation, has issued orders under section 42 of the Land Consolidation Act, 1948 which is judicial process and thus has to act according to the provisions of the Act and should have issued notices to the concerned parties and a chance of presenting their case individually or through counsel and then adjudicate the matter and pass the final speaking orders.
“This process has not been followed. This is clear cut violation of the provisions of the Act and principles of natural justice. Without giving an opportunity of being heard the mater cannot be adjudicated as has been done in this case,” the government spokesman said.
Reacting to this, Khemka said: “I decided the matter on the basis of the facts in front of me.”
Putting up another point of defence, the spokesman said: “Regarding allegation of undervaluation of property registered, a detailed report was obtained from tehsildar-cum-registrar, Manesar through deputy commissioner, Gurgaon of property registered between Sky Light Hospitality Pvt. Ltd. and DLF Universal.
“As per the report, the sale deed no.4928 dated Feb 12,2008 and subsequent transfer of the land vide sale deed no.1435 dated Sep 18, 2012 were way higher than the collector rates. Hence, no loss to revenue of the state has been caused by these sale deeds.”
“The preliminary facts brought to the notice of the state government by the district revenue authority at Gurgaon point out that prima facie the factual position is different from the stand taken by Khemka.
“The state government has nonetheless ordered an inquiry into all the issues raised by Khemka. The inquiry committee will be headed by additional chief secretary and will have two other senior members of the state government.
“The inquiry has been ordered to be completed within a period of one month. The inquiry committee will look into legality of actions taken by officials concerned, including acts of omissions and commission, if any,” the spokesman added.