MDDA partially razes building of sting CD whistleblower

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 4

The Mussoorie-Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) today partially demolished an under-construction three-storey building of Ashok Pandey, who has made the sting exposing the “shady” deals of the state government, at Tagore village, near here.

Police personnel, along with MDDA and administrative officials, reached the site and began the demolition drive.

BJP leader Shahdab Shams, who opposed the demolition and staged a dharna at the spot, was detained by the police. Shahdab alleged the state government was trying to harass Pandey, who exposed corruption.

Ashok Pandey said the state government was targetting him as he had exposed the corrupt. He expressed threat to his life and family.

He claimed that he had an approved map of the building that was demolished after being labelled illegal.

Pandey said the map was approved in 2005 but as the construction was not undertaken within the stipulated period, the map was re-submitted in 2012 for extension of approval. However, the MDDA took no action.

He said it was strange that while there were over 10,000 unauthorised constructions in Dehradun, the MDDA was targeting him only. Pandey said he would meet Governor KK Paul overthe issue.

However, MDDA vice-chairman Meenakshi Sundaram said only a portion of the structure was demolished as it was being built in violation of rules. “We had no other option but to demolish it,” said Meenakshi Sundaram.

He said the owner of the under-construction building was given ample time to plead his case.

Notably, Ashok Pandey played a key role in making the sting CD that shows Chief Minister Harish Rawat’s personal secretary brokering a deal with liquor mafia. The sting has created furore in political circles and came as a setback for the state government.

Ajay Bhatt stages dharna

In protest against the demolition drive, Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly Ajay Bhatt staged a dharna at the site.

Bhatt, who continued the dharna till late in the evening, demanded an apology from the MDDA.

He alleged the state government had come to a new low by harassing those who exposed the corrupt.