Former minister seeks CBI probe into Rohtak land deal row

Rohtak: Former state minister and senior Congress leader Subhash Batra on Tuesday demanded a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and an inquiry monitored by a sitting judge of the Punjab and Haryana high court into an alleged irregularity involving about 18.5 acres of land near IMT Chowk in Rohtak. He also announced that he will write to chief minister Nayab Singh Saini seeking an independent investigation into the matter. Addressing the media today, Batra stated that the land in question was leased in 1986 to Chinar Industrial Finance Corporation for a period of 90 years. He asserted that land given on lease cannot be sold or developed unless the lease is formally cancelled. According to him, the lease was not cancelled to date, and therefore any sale or development activity on the land would be legally questionable.
The former minister alleged that around 500 trees within the walled premises of the land were felled. "Cutting trees without prior permission constitutes a legal offence, it also points to administrative lapses," he said. Batra also claimed that the land, which he estimated to be worth more than ₹300 crore, was reportedly sold for around ₹25 crore. He alleged that 1 of the buyers includes the son of a former BJP minister. He further alleged that govt revenue of approximately ₹80 crore, which he claimed should have accrued to the state exchequer, was waived. He named a senior IAS officer while alleging that the waiver was granted due to collusion.According to Batra, plots on the said land are allegedly being sold at rates of about ₹60,000 per square yard, which, by his calculation, would place the total value of the land at around ₹540 crore. He termed the alleged disparity between the purchase price and the current sale value as a "major scam."He further claimed that scrap worth crores of rupees was sold from the site and that colony development activities are underway. Batra alleged that boards of a society named "Manji" were installed at the site and that some plots were already sold, even though, according to him, no licence for developing a colony was granted by the govt so far. Reiterating his stand, Batra said that as long as the 90-year lease executed in 1986 remains valid and was not cancelled, the land cannot legally be sold or developed. He added that the original leaseholders are expected to come forward and present their version before the media in the near future.Batra also stated that he was receiving threats for raising the issue, a matter he said he will also bring to the notice of the chief minister in his letter. MSID: 128973367 413 | Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Holi wishes, messages and quotes !