Rs 20-lakh graft: Revenue Dept begins investigation

Tribune News Service

Yamunanagar, May 24

The Special Secretary, Revenue Department, has begun probe in a bribery case in which sub-registrar, Jagadhri tehsil, has been accused of demanding Rs20 lakh bribe for registration of land sale deeds. The probe was ordered by Additional Chief Secretary, Revenue Department.

Sources said that written statements of sub-registrar, Darshan Kumar, and the complainant Vishal Garg, Director, TGVG Private Limited, had been taken.

In his complaint Garg said that he, along with directors of two other firms, TVG Private Limited and TKG Private Limited, Delhi, had bought 64 acres in Jaroda, Mehlanwali and Jhiwarheri villages of the district. He said they applied for registration of nine sale deeds at Jagadhri tehsil on January 11. Garg alleged that the sub-registrar sought Rs 20 lakh as bribe for registration of sale deeds, adding that the sale deeds were registered only after they threatened to lodge a complaint against him.

On the other hand Darshan Kumar, sub-registrar, said that the land was situated near OMAXE City and the purchaser had evaded stamp duty on the basis of the concealment of facts, thereby, affecting valuation of the property.

“The all nine sale deeds were found undervalued. Therefore, these were impounded under Section 47-A of the Indian Stamp Act 1899, a day after its registration,” said Darshan Kumar.

He also termed the bribe allegation as baseless, adding the entire case was in the notice of the DC.