Booked for graft, ex-Mayor of Dharamsala cries vendetta

Dharamsala, January 12

The state vigilance and anti-corruption bureau has booked former Dharamsala Mayor Davinder Jaggi and former Executive Officer Mahesh Dutt Sharma under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The matter pertains to the allotment of a prime building used as a guest house adjoining the MC office on lease to the former Mayor. It has been alleged that the while the local body got a rent of just Rs 18.38 lakh during 2006-19, the former Mayor earned over Rs 1.60 crore by further leasing out the building.

Caused Rs1.4 cr ‘loss’ to Dharamsala MC

• Ex-Mayor Davinder Jaggi was leased prime building for Rs20,111 rent per month
• Original contract was allegedly changed in connivance with then EO
• Local body got Rs18.38 lakh during 2006-19, Jaggi earned over Rs1.60 crore by further leasing it
• Alleging vendetta, Jaggi alleges FIR lodged at behest of Cong leaders in connivance with BJP

A complaint was filed by some councillors in 2018. Vigilance officials said the case had been registered late last evening under Section 420 and 120 (B) IPC and various provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act after taking permission from the authorities concerned. The FIR states Jaggi took the property on lease for 25 years on a monthly rent of Rs 20,111 in 2006. The original agreement was allegedly changed in connivance with then EO. Jaggi was allowed to raise loan against the property and sub lease it for commercial purposes. Alleging political conspiracy, Jaggi alleged the case had been registered at the behest of “B team” of the Congress in connivance with the ruling BJP. He claimed he had taken the building on lease through open auction and inquires had been initiated against him four times.