Haridwar land scam : Vigilance team reaches Haridwar in order to start probe

Haridwar: A vigilance team arrived in Haridwar on Wednesday to commence a preliminary investigation into the land scam case. Officials said the team recorded the statement of the suspended revenue department Lekhpal and inspected the disputed land in Sarai village, which the Haridwar Municipal Corporation purchased at an inflated price. The team also obtained information about the frozen accounts of farmers involved in the land sale. Previously, the govt had suspended two IAS officers, including the Haridwar DM, and 10 other officials, whilst ordering a vigilance probe.

The property was sold at premium rates by three farmers after its land use was changed from agricultural land to commercial. SP Vigilance Swatantra Kumar Singh told TOI, "A team was sent to Haridwar for collecting some documents and other details. We are doing a preliminary inquiry after which a case will be registered in the matter."

Haridwar Municipal Commissioner Nandan Kumar told TOI, "We took legal advice to cancel the deal and a meeting was held with the govt counsel in this regard after which we will move to the civil court to cancel the deal."