Haridwar Land scam: State govt recommends dismissal of IAS officer Varun Chaudhary

Major punishment recommended for former Haridwar DM Karmendra Singh, Charges framed against 10 persons including senior officers of MCH following vigilance inquiry

 PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Dehradun

 In one of the strictest action against corruption in the history of the State, the Pushkar Singh Dhami government has recommended immediate dismissal from service of Indian Administrative Services (IAS) officer and the then municipal commissioner of Haridwar Municipal Corporation Varun Chaudhary in the land purchase scam. The government has also recommended major punishment to the then district magistrate of Haridwar Karmendra Singh for showing dereliction of duties in the case. The State government has made these recommendations on the order of chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami against the two IAS officers to the department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) of the Union government. Instructions have also been given to register a censure entry against the then sub divisional magistrate (SDM) of Haridwar Ajayveer Singh and to stop his three salary increments.

 In the land purchase scam of the MCH, the government has ordered filing of charges against 10 persons including the then commission Varun Chaudhary. A detailed vigilance investigation has found prima facie evidence of criminal conspiracy and fraudulent land purchases, resulting in financial loss to the Municipal Corporation.

The charges have been framed on the recommendation of the State Vigilance Committee, chaired by the chief secretary and approved by CM Dhami. Apart from Chaudhary, charges have been registered against the then assistant municipal commissioner Ravindra Kumar Dayal, the then tax superintendent Laxmikant Bhatt, the then assistant engineer Anand Singh Mishran, clerk Vedpal and cartographer Dinesh Kandpal.

Cases have also been registered against the seller of the land and three others involved in the deal.

In his statement, CM Dhami categorically stated that there will be no compromise at any level in corruption cases. He reiterated that transparency, accountability and public interest are paramount in governance and administration and added that the strictest action will continue to be taken against officials found guilty.

The scam

The scam involves purchase of a plot of land ( 2.3070 hectare) at an exorbitant price of Rs 54 crore by MCH in the year 2024 which is said to be three to four times more than the actual price. It is alleged that the irregularities occurred in the purchase of land by the MCH and its land use was converted from agricultural to commercial days before its purchase by the MCH. It is alleged that the then additional district magistrate (ADM) Ajayvir Singh changed the land use of the land in question in October 2024 and after some days this land was purchased by the MCH at exorbitant price of Rs 54 crore causing loss to State exchequer. Following a complaint of large scale irregularity in purchase of the said land, CM Dhami ordered an inquiry and officers and employees involved ( including two IAS officers Chaudhary and Karmendra Singh) were suspended.