Plot allotment scam unearthed in Panipat; seven, including 6 HSVP officials, booked

A plot allotment scam has surfaced in Panipat’s Sector-18 following inquiries ordered by the Haryana Lokayukta. The police have booked seven individuals, including six officials of the Haryana Shahri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) — four of whom are retired — and one General Power of Attorney (GPA) holder for their alleged involvement in the illegal re-allotment and sale of a plot using fabricated documents.

The case pertains to plot number 1972, which was allotted to Lakshman of Sewah village in 2008 under the oustees quota. Advocate Jugwinder Malik had filed a complaint with the Lokayukta on January 12, 2018, alleging that the plot allotment violated HSVP norms.

As per Malik’s complaint, Lakshman failed to deposit the mandatory 15% of the plot cost within the stipulated time after allotment. Instead, three years later, on August 5, 2011, he gave a GPA to Sanjay Mann, who subsequently deposited the pending Rs 5 lakh on August 8, 2011, followed by two deposits of Rs 49,000 each on August 29, 2011.

“The rules clearly state that 10% of the plot cost must be paid at the time of allotment and another 15% within 30 days. Failing this, the HSVP should have resumed the plot,” said Malik.

Instead, the plot was illegally re-allotted with the connivance of HSVP officials. In 2012, it was reissued in the name of Neelam Rani, wife of Som Prakash, and later, in 2014, the allotment letter was transferred to Preeti Singla and Ravita Singla.

Inquiries conducted by the Estate Officer, HSVP Panipat, and the Administrator, HSVP Rohtak, confirmed the allegations. A subsequent investigation by DSP (Crime Against Women) also found evidence of wrongdoing. Senior HSVP authorities, including the Chief Administrator in Panchkula, recommended criminal proceedings.

Based on the findings, Panipat police registered a case under multiple IPC sections against Anil Chopra (retired accountant), Dinesh Kumar (retired assistant accountant), Balbir Singh (assistant), Subhash Gulati (retired deputy superintendent), Santosh Mehta (retired Assistant Estate Officer), Narbir Singh (clerk), and Sanjay Mann (GPA holder). The Sector 13/17 police have initiated a probe.

Haryana Tribune