Dhingra panel report on Gurgaon land deals points out irregularities

Chandigarh, Aug 31 (IANS) The Justice S.N. Dhingra Commission of Inquiry, probing controversial land deals in Gurgaon, on Wednesday submitted its report which pointed to irregularities in grant of licences and land allotment in prime areas to individuals and companies, including Congress President Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra and his firms.

The 182-page report, it is reliably learnt, has indicted the previous Congress government (2005-2014) in Haryana led by Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, for irregularities in grant of licences. It has pointed to alleged connivance of the Hooda government in favouring Vadra and others.

Justice Dhingra, a former judge of the Delhi High Court, submitted the report to Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar here on Wednesday. The one-man commission's term ended on Wednesday.

"I wouldn't have submitted a 182-page report if there was no irregularity," Dhingra told media persons here after submitting the report.

Official sources said the commission examined records of over 100 Change of Land Use (CLU) licences given in Gurgaon district, particularly in Sector 83. A number of bureaucrats and officials were also questioned by the commission.

The commission had been mandated to probe licences given by the Hooda government for the development of colonies, housing societies and commercial complexes in four villages -- Shikohpur, Sihi, Kherki Daula and Sikanderpur Bada -- in Gurgaon district.

"The government has received the report and will study its contents," Health Minister Anil Vij said here.

The commission was mandated to probe the subsequent transfer or disposal of licences, allegations of private enrichment, ineligibility of beneficiaries under the rules, and other connected matters.

Vadra had termed the inquiry commission as a "political witch-hunt" launched against him by the BJP government in Haryana.

Vadra and Hooda, who had been summoned by the commission, had refused to join the probe.

The scope of the Dhingra commission was expanded in August last year and it was asked to probe grant of all licences to colonisers and individuals in the four villages of Gurgaon.

Vadra and others were allegedly granted favours by the Hooda-led state government in issuing licences to develop commercial properties in Gurgaon's Sector 83.

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) had pointed out that Vadra's firm, Skylight Hospitality, had not submitted documents on financial adequacy, but was still granted a licence.

Earlier, Hooda had objected to setting up of the commission saying it was held "contrary to established rules and norms, without due cabinet approval and prompted by malice and political considerations".

He had urged Haryana Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki "to revoke the Constitution of the Commission of Enquiry".