The Uttarakhand government suspended two IAS officers and one Provincial Civil Services (PCS) officer after investigating an alleged land scam in Haridwar.
The suspended officer is Haridwar District Magistrate Kamendra Singh, Municipal Corporation Commissioner Varun Chaudhary and Sub-division Magistrate Ajayvir Singh.
The investigation into the alleged scam was conducted by a senior officer in the secretariat. According to officials, whose report was submitted, in this scam, the authorities allegedly facilitated adaptation to non-agricultural land of agricultural land, resulting in an increased evaluation, after which the corporation achieved it for a higher price.
In July, an application was submitted by the seller of the land plot for the conversion of land use, which was approved in October 2024. “As per the circle rate, the value of agricultural land was Rs 15 crore. But with the conversion, the circle rate was shot, and was acquired for more than Rs 52 crore,” an official said.
After the suspension, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has ordered a detailed inquiry into the case by the Vigilance Department. The sales deeds related to the land scam have been canceled, and orders have been issued to recover the money paid to the landowners. The Chief Minister has also directed a special audit of all the works done during the tenure of Municipal Commissioner Varun Chaudhary in the corporation to see any financial irregularities.
In the suspension order, the Municipal Corporation has been accused of irregularities in the acquisition of 2.3 hectares of land at village Sarai in Haridwar.
“According to the preliminary inquiry report of 29-05-2025 received through Urban Development Department, Ajayvir Singh (PCS), then the Deputy Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Haridwar / is currently responsible for the possible connivance with SDM, Bhagavanpur, land vendors.
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The other two officers – DMs, who were then administrators of the corporation, and the Municipal Commissioner – have been accused of ignoring official duties, failing to follow the prescribed procedures, safety to the corporation’s interests and failing to violate the rules.
DM Karmendra Singh and SDM Ajayvir Singh did not respond to the call of the Indian Express, seeking their remarks on the matter. Municipal Commissioner Varun Chaudhary said that he cannot comment as an investigation is going on.
A total of 10 officers have been suspended in this case so far.
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