CBI raids in UP in Noida Plot scam

Lucknow, Jan 11: The infamous Noida Plot Allotment scam 2004-2005 came to surface once again as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) today conducted state wide raids in Uttar Pradesh in this connection.

The raids are being conducted in more than 19 places spread over the cities of Noida, Ghaziabad, Meerut and Lucknow, according to preliminary reports reaching here at the state headquarters .

Those who are in CBI net included several senior officials, who were posted at the Noida Development Authority and other prime places when the scam had taken place in July, 2005. CBI sources had confirmed about the raids but they refused to say anything about their action.

In Lucknow, the raids are being conducted at about ten places with one being at the state headquarters of Uttar Pradesh Development Systems Corporation (UPDESCO), which had prepared the software to conduct the lottery for the allotment. The raid is in the progress at the Butler Palace residence of the then senior UPDESCO officer D S Pathik.

The reports suggested the raids are being conducted at the residence of former CEO of Noida Authority Deodutt.

The scam had come to light after a PIL was lodged in the Supreme Court by one Amit Khemka claiming that the allotment was done in an partial manner by the then government in order to benefit certain persons.

On November 22, 2007 the Supreme Court had directed the CBI to continue probe into the Noida land scam during the Mulayam Singh Yadav regime in 2005, in which names of several politicians, bureaucrats, judges and their kin along with media persons figurred.

The SC's decision came in the wake of the Chief minister Mayawati's decision to refer the matter to the CBI contrary to the claim of previous Mulayam Singh Yadav's government to conduct a probe by the state agencies.

Earlier on November 11, 2005 the apex court in its interim order had stayed the CBI investigation into the alleged irregularities into the draw of lots for the allotment of around 1250 residential plots.

The allotment of the plots made through computer based lottery was held on July 2, 2005, but was cancelled due to public outcry and complaint by the Noida Entrepreneur Association.

Later, on a bunch of PIL, the High Court on October 4, 2005 had ordered CBI probe into the scam which was stayed by the apex court.

However, with the change of regime in the state, the Mayawati government on June 1 this year formally recommended the Centre for a CBI inquiry into the alleged misconduct of the officials responsible for the controversial draw of lots.

Taking note of this stand taken by the state government before it, the apex court dismissed the appeal filed by the Noida Authority against the order of the High Court.

Besides CBI probe against the then officials and employees of Noida, UPDESCO and state government allegedly responsible for manipulation in the draw, the High Court had directed the authorities to hold fresh draw of lots manually.

UNI