Swagat Vihar scam: BJP MLAs for probe by VS panel

Raipur, July 16, 2013

BJP MLAs Devji Patel and Nandkumar Sahu on Tuesday demanded probe by Vidhan Sabha committee into government lands encroached by builder Sanjay Bajpayee to develop residential colony under his Swagat Vihar project in the outskirts of Raipur city in Sejbahar, Dunda and Boriakala areas.

Lashing at revenue minister Dayaldas Baghel for stalling action against guilty persons the duo said since several officials of town and country planning, revenue and registry departments were involved in the land scam, the investigation should be conducted by a transparent panel constituted by state assembly. The duo raised the matter during call attention on second day of assembly’s monsoon session.

The minister assured the House of taking action against all guilty persons. He said Raipur division commissioner had been asked to take action against those involved from revenue department. He said approved lay-out of the project was also under process of cancellation.

Earlier, Patel and Sahu pointed that despite Bajpayee being arrested on June 26, 2013, police did not file criminal case against any of the guilty government officials till date. They said the encroached government lands had not been freed till date.

They further indicated that neither town and country planning department cancelled no objection certificate (NOC) issued for encroached lands nor revenue officials nullified land name transfers. 

Terming suspension of one official into the matter inadequate, they alleged that the entire effort was done to save the guilty officials who had purchased majority of plots in Swagat Vihar on fake names. They said none of the suspect officials had been removed by far.

The minister informed that after probe it was found that Bajpayee had encroached 9.714 hectare lands in Sejbahar, Dunda and Boriakala. He admitted that the builder had prepared fake B1 and khasra of private lands to obtain lay-out approval from town and country planning department and NOC to develop the lands.

He said neither the officials had nexus with the builder nor they purchased plots in Swagat Vihar.

The minister further informed that case had been filed against Bajpayee in Moudhapara and Gol Bazar police stations and action would be taken against guilty persons on the basis of inquiry.