ACQUISITION OF LAND IN CHANDIGARH’S PERIPHERY

Punjab seeks more time to submit status report

Chandigarh, August 5
Four months after the Punjab and Haryana High Court was informed that the inquiry into the acquisition of properties by the high-ups in Chandigarh’s periphery has gone to the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) in Mohali, the State today sought more time for submitting the status report.
As the case came up for hearing before the special Division Bench of Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel and Justice Nirmaljit Kaur, the State asked for three months time to complete the probe.
This is the second time the State has sought three months extension after handing over the probe to the EOW. In April also, on the previous date of hearing, the State had sought three months time.
Granting the extension, the Bench fixed November 18 as the next date of hearing.
The matter was brought to the high court's notice by Nayagaon resident Kuldip Singh. Accusing a senior police functionary in a land grab bid in Nayagaon, he had sought protection, while pleading for registration of an FIR and a CBI probe into the dealings. The inquiry was entrusted to the ADGP, after Justice Ranjit Singh of the high court took cognisance of the matter. Justice Ranjit Singh had asked the ADGP to lay emphasis on Nayagaon, Zirakpur, Mohali, Kansal and Karoran area. The judge had added: "It would also need investigation to see as to what is the source of acquisition".
The state has already informed the high court that it has constituted a special investigation team to look into the case.
The case is being supervised by Additional Director-General of Police Hardeep Dhillon and monitored by Punjab Chief Secretary.
Dhillon had replaced Chander Shekhar as the investigating officer in the case after his retirement as the DGP of Railways. Chander Shekhar, before relinquishing the office, had recommended a CBI probe into the acquisition of properties by the high-ups.

The Case
The State has asked for three months time to complete the probe

This is the second time that the State has sought extension

A Nayagaon resident had accused a senior police functionary of land grab bid in Nayagaon and demanded a CBI probe

Punjab has formed a special investigation team under the ADGP to look into the case

November 18 is the next date of hearing