Robert Vadra issue: Haryana govt denies allegations

Chandigarh, Aug 12: The Haryana Government on Sunday denied allegations against its Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) in Robert Vadra-DLF land deal in the light of claims by whistleblower IAS officer Ashok Khemka.

"These allegations are wrong and misleading, aimed at sensationalization of an issue which is non-existent," a Haryana Government release said, quoting a DTCP spokesman.

Khemka has alleged that Vadra "falsified documents" for 3.53 acres of land in Gurgaon and "pocketed" large premium on a commercial colony license.

In his "voluminous reply" submitted to Haryana government's three-member enquiry committee set up in October last to look into Vadra-DLF deal, Khemka is understood to have alleged that Vadra, who is Congress President Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law, executed a series of "sham transactions" for 3.53 acres of land in Shikohpur village of Gurgaon.

The IAS officer alleged that DTCP "ignored rules and regulations to allow crony capitalists operating as middlemen to flourish and appropriate market premium of a license." "The DTCP aided Vadra in making these sham transactions," he alleged.

Regarding the ownership documents being called as ‘sham’, the DTCP spokesman said that for the purpose of grant of license, the Haryana Development and Regulation of Urban Areas Act, 1975 requires the Director to enquire into the ownership of the land before grant of any license.

"The allegations have been repeated which have already been gone through in detail by a High Level Committee comprising three Financial Commissioners of the State and they did not find anything wrong in grant of license or renewal thereof.

Infact, if one goes through that detailed report, it will be clear that there is not an iota of truth in these allegations.," the spokesman added.

PTI