Survey of India officials to begin Dinakaran land probe on Dec 30

CHENNAI: A three-member team from the Survey of India will begin an inquiry into charges of encroachment of public land by Karnataka High Court Chief Justice PD Dinakaran on December 30, highly placed sources said.
Survey of India (SoI) officials -- Major General R Sivakumar, M Dharmaraj and Sanjaykumar -- will conduct the probe into issues relating to the judge's land holdings in Kaverirajapuram village in Tiruvallur district.The team would begin with some preliminary work at the SoI's office in Guindy in the city on December 30. Tiruvallur collector V Palanikumar, who had sent a report to the Supreme Court confirming the charges that the judge was in possession of government land, and a host of officials are likely to be heard by the team.
After discussions with the collector and revenue officials, the team would hear Justice Dinakaran's version, the sources said. The surveyors are likely to begin the spot inspection of the controversial extent of land the next day.
The Supreme Court collegium headed by Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan had last week put an end to the uncertainty over the prospect of
J Justice Dinakaran's elevation to the apex court by deciding to nix the recommendation it made in September. The CJI has subsequently clarified that the judge's elevation is only on hold and that it has not been dropped.
Last week, the Rajya Sabha chairman has admitted a petition seeking to impeach Justice Dinakaran. However, the judge has denied the allegation and has said that the collector's findings are wrong.
The CJI had earlier asked the Centre for an investigation by an independent agency to verify the facts contained in two reports sent by Palanikumar. In his report, the collector had said a total of 199 acres of government land had been encroached upon by Dinakaran and his family members.
The science and technology ministry, under which the Survey of India functions, has requested the state revenue department to ensure that the district administration provides assistance and protection at the time of the team's inspection. During the inspection, Justice Dinakaran's representatives will be allowed to be present there. SoI officials were tightlipped about their plans. They are expected to submit a report after completing their work to the ministry for being forwarded to the CJI for further action.