Delhi: Lokpal Bench Unveils Corruption in Rani Jhansi Flyover Land Acquisition
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Synopsis
A Lokpal Bench led by Justice A.M. Khanwilkar has revealed significant corruption linked to land acquisition for the Rani Jhansi flyover in north Delhi. The Bench emphasized the possibility of criminal proceedings against involved officials, highlighting irregularities in compensation disbursement from 2009 to 2011. Critical reports have identified substantial discrepancies in the compensation amounts awarded.
Key Takeaways
- Justice A.M. Khanwilkar leads the Lokpal Bench.
- Potential criminal proceedings against corrupt officials are possible.
- Reports reveal significant discrepancies in compensation amounts.
- Irregularities noted in the land acquisition process.
- Government funds were misappropriated.
New Delhi, March 31 (NationPress) A Lokpal Bench led by Justice A.M. Khanwilkar has opened the possibility for appropriate action against the corrupt officials, which may include criminal proceedings, regarding the misallocation of compensation for land acquired for the Rani Jhansi flyover in north Delhi during the years 2009-11, as reported by an official on Monday.
The Bench, under Justice Khanwilkar, stated in its ruling: "A collusion of Government officials and private individuals who had engaged with criminal intent throughout the entire process is substantiated."
“The Competent Authority has the discretion to initiate appropriate actions against the guilty officials and pursue it to its logical conclusion, including potential criminal proceedings before the relevant court as per legal advice,” the Bench remarked in a recent decision.
This Lokpal Bench was addressing a complaint that called for action against officials from the Delhi government’s Revenue Department and members of the North Delhi Municipal Corporation regarding irregularities in the project, as noted by an official.
The order from the Lokpal Bench highlighted a 2021 CVC report concerning land acquisition by the collector, which revealed that one land owner – Northern Cold Storage and Refrigeration Ltd – received a compensation of Rs 9.9 crore for 1,183 sq meters of land, while only owning 698 sq meters.
Additionally, another committee formed by the chief secretary of the Delhi Government in 2023 found irregularities in the Rs 25.67 crore compensation awarded to Methodist Episcopal Church in South Asia (MECISA) and private individual Abhishek Gupta, who received Rs 3.45 crore despite his name not being listed in the compensation award.
Following the committee’s recommendations, the Ministry of Home Affairs suspended the land acquisition collector of Delhi, Raj Kumar, who also served as the secretary to the Delhi legislative Assembly. Raj Kumar is a 1995-batch officer of the Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Civil Services (DANICS).
The Lokpal Bench disclosed that the preliminary investigation report dated August 21, 2024, along with a supplementary report on October 15, 2024, indicated that the land acquisition process was fraudulent, with government funds misappropriated and undue benefits granted to private individuals.
The construction project for the 1.8-km Rani Jhansi Flyover was sanctioned in March 2007 for a budget of Rs 177.72 crore. It was officially inaugurated in 2018 after nearly a decade of delays and ultimately cost Rs 725 crore.
However, the Lokpal Bench opted not to mandate any action against the government officials for their alleged misconduct, citing that the irregularities occurred over seven years before the complaint was filed on August 5, 2020.
“We believe that the Lokpal of India cannot assert jurisdiction in this matter due to the limitation period. Nevertheless, we emphasize that the Competent Authority is free to undertake appropriate actions against the guilty officials and pursue it legally,” declared the Bench led by Justice Khanwilkar.
The Bench clarified that “the dismissal of this complaint based on limitation will not impact potential actions which should proceed in accordance with the law.”
