HC orders SIT probe against MC officials over ‘forged’ site plan

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed to constitute a special investigation team (SIT) to probe alleged connivance of Sangrur Municipal Council officials in illegal construction based on a “forged” site plan. The court also granted anticipatory bail to three accused in the case, asserting that pre-trial incarceration should not become a substitute for post-conviction punishment.

As the matter came up for hearing, Justice Anoop Chitkara took note of allegations that the petitioners “willingly and intentionally forged the site plan to justify illegal construction and thereafter consciously used the same as evidence before this HC and, hence, have committed the offence of forgery and fabrication”.

The Bench then ordered the SSP concerned to constitute an SIT under the supervision of an officer of high integrity. “It shall inquire into the role/involvement of the municipal council officials/authorities in such construction/authorisation and if any offence is made out against them, in that case, to proceed against them in accordance with law,” Justice Chitkara added.

The court was hearing petitions filed by Veena Gupta and other petitioners seeking anticipatory bail in connection with an FIR registered on January 18 at a police station in Sangrur for cheating and other offences under Sections 420, 468, 471, 191 and 193 of the IPC.

Opposing the bail, the counsel for the complainant submitted that the entire floor was constructed in violation of rules with the involvement of corrupt officials. As such, custodial interrogation was necessary.

Rejecting the plea, Justice Chitkara observed, “Forgery relates to public documents and construction is based on such documents/map. Now, the petitioner undertakes not to carry out any construction at the site without proper approval, as such, no ground is made out to deny bail to the petitioner.”

Punjab