PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
More than 25 families have claimed that crores of rupees have remained stuck for years in connection with land deals involving RA Construction Company and its owner Rajendra Agrawal, his son Shivam Agrawal and wife Gayatri Agrawal. Shiva Shukla raised the allegations on behalf of the affected families at a press conference at the Uttaranchal Press Club here on Friday. Shukla averred that money was taken from people in the name of providing land in Paudha, Ranipokhari, Rishikesh and other areas. He claimed that discrepancies relating to land ownership, documents and the actual status of properties came to light in several cases.
According to the families, some properties were allegedly offered or sold on the claim that they were owned by or under the authority of the company, while their ownership was later found to be different. Shukla said that several buyers neither received the promised land or possession nor got their money fully refunded despite making payments. Shukla said that the affected families had received repeated assurances over the years that either the land would be provided or their money returned. However, the complainants alleged that they were repeatedly given new dates and assurances without a concrete resolution.
Several families invested their life savings, money set aside for their children’s future and bank loans in the deals, Shukla said. He claimed that the prolonged delay had caused financial losses and mental stress, while cheques issued for repayment were dishonoured in some cases. Shukla also said that some victims were called to offices, insulted and subjected to threats and pressure. The families demanded an independent investigation into these allegations.
Shukla urged the government, police and district administration to examine the land deals and related documents, verify property ownership and investigate the complaints of all affected families. He also sought identification of other possible victims and action according to law if wrongdoing is established. “We do not want another assurance or another date. We want action and the return of our hard-earned money,” Shukla said. The complainants said that they were seeking an investigation to establish the facts and were not seeking to declare anyone guilty without due process.
