Raj land scam: Ex-minister summoned by ACB on Oct 26

Jaipur, Oct 15: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) today summoned former Rajasthan UDH minister Shanti Dhariwal to appear before it on October 26 in connection with irregularities in a land deal.

"Dhariwal was earlier called on October 7 in the 'Ekal Pattaa' (single deed) case as he was the then UDH minister when the land deed of about 14 Beegha (40,000 square yards) was granted to Ganapati Construction Company by flouting rules of JDA and Rajasthan Tenancy Act", a senior ACB officer said.

Dhariwal told PTI that he visited the ACB office today and asked for copies of papers on which he could answer queries on October 26.

"I will appear in front of ACB on the very date to make every possible answer in the alleged case, which clearly reflects 'political vendetta' against me," he said.

"The ACB had summoned Dhariwal on October 19, but after his personal request the interrogation date was shifted to October 26," a bureau official said.

Besides, former senior IAS officer and the then Principal Secretary GS Sandhu and RAS officer Onkar Mal Saini are evading arrest after being summoned by ACB, the officer said.

So far ACB has arrested Nishkam Diwakar, the then secretary of UDH and now CEO of Banswara Zila Parishad as well as Shailendra Garg, owner of the construction company in the case.

PTI