VB initiates fresh probe into compensation paid for land

Rachna Khaira

Tribune News service

Jalandhar, September 20

The Vigilance Bureau has initiated a fresh probe into the compensation paid to all 416 persons for the land acquired for Guru Gobind Singh Avenue (94.97-acre scheme) by the Jalandhar Improvement Trust (JIT).

SSP Vigilance Bureau Daljinder Dhillon said while 10 of the 12 accused had already been arrested, two were still at large. He said the department had made a complete list of 416 persons and had placed it in its office and at the JIT office for the identification of the compensation beneficiaries.

“Our investigations into the case revealed that there may be more such cases of impersonation so we have initiated detailed investigations into the issue. The detail of each and every single beneficiary will be checked by the department,” added Dhillon.

The JIT had acquired 94.97 acres of land in 2011 and had paid compensation of Rs 216 crore to over 416 persons between 2011 and 2017.

However, on the basis of a complaint filed by four persons who had not received compensation for their land, an inquiry was marked into the matter. It was found that in connivance of some JIT officials and property dealers, the compensation was paid to some persons who impersonated as land owners.

Following this, a case under Sections 409, 419, 420, 419, 465, 467, 468 and 120 of the IPC and Sections 7 and 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act was registered at the New Baradari police station in 2013.

However later, when the police found the involvement of JIT officials during investigating the matter, the case was later transferred to the Vigilance Bureau in June this year.

Dhillon said the department had identified five such cases after investigations where the JIT officials and property dealers made fake claims and grabbed more than Rs 5 crore of the compensation amount.

Later, the department advertised photographs of the four persons and two of them were recently arrested. So far, 10 people have been arrested in the case while two of the accused are still at large.