Misuse of land to societies: HC directs DDA to probe

New Delhi, Nov 17 (UNI) Observing that it was another land scam in the capital, the Delhi High Court today directed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to produce the records of the original allottees--Societies or Trusts-- of the land at the Qutab Institutional area at a concessional rate for carrying out voluntary works or social services.

Adjourning the matter till Tuesday, the bench of acting Chief Justice Vijender Jain and Justice Rekha Sharma asked the DDA to file the status report in relation to the plots allotted to Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan trust floated by famed sarod player Amjad Ali Khan, Namgyal, the former ruler of Ladakh and Habitat India.

''It is big scam involving prime land. We will not allow this to happen. Probe whether the original managing board of the societies or trusts handed over others?'' observed the Court.

Counsel Rajive Bansal appearing for DDA submitted that all these buildings had been rented out to various MNCs at an exorbitant price.

However, Namgyal had challenged the eviction notice sent by the DDA before the single bench of High Court saying that the land was allotted to him in lieu of the land taken over by the government in Ladakh, said Mr Bansal.

According to the survey the plots, allotted at a concessional price of Rs 1.5 lakh for half acre, had been hijacked by two or three builders which needed to be scrutinised, said Mr Bansal.

Senior Counsel Arun Jaitley appearing for Chatrapati Shivaji Foundation, formed by former Union Minister and Congress leader Vasant Sathe submitted that the society would be reducing the rented portion to 25 per cent as per the circular of the DDA. The building houses the officie of Indian Express newspaper.

The DDA, a land owning agency in the capital, had conducted a survey on 26 plots allotted to various societies and trusts and found many irregularities in the terms of the lease deeds. The DDA had asked the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to seal the premises.

The court granted permission to six MNCs operating from the premises to vacate the buildings in two months provided they submitted their undertaking before the court, MCD, DDA and Court Commissioner in three days.

UNI PAT YA HT1940