Friday, 27 October 2023 | PNS | NAINITAL
The Uttarakhand High Court has ordered an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation into the irregularities in the Horticulture department. Issuing this order while hearing a public interest litigation seeking a probe by the CBI or some other agency into the Horticulture department scam, the division bench of chief justice Vipin Sanghi and justice Rakesh Thapliyal stated that the matter is very serious. Ordering a CBI investigation into the irregularities, the court also directed the State government that the State government officials will cooperate with the CBI while also providing all relevant documents.
It will be recalled that in the past, the HC had heard the report of the Special Investigation Team but was not satisfied with the report. The government counsel had stated that the SIT had completed its investigation. The court had then asked the government what action it had taken against the persons against whom proof of corruption had been found. Earlier, on the request of the State government, the court had directed the SIT to conduct the primary investigation into the irregularities before handing over the probe to the CBI.
Deepak Kargeti had filed the PIL alleging various irregularities in the Horticulture department. The petitioner had alleged that among the various irregularities, the department had shown that a work order was issued and saplings were brought from Jammu and Kashmir on the same day, for which the payment was also made. Financial and other irregularities were orchestrated in various such instances in the department, the petitioner had stated while seeking a CBI probe. It will be recalled that earlier in June this year chief minister Pushkar Singhd Dhami had removed HS Baweja from the post of Horticulture department director after an inquiry into allegations of corruption against him. He was accused of irregularities in purchase of kiwi plants and seeds of ginger and turmeric.
