Anti-encroachment task force head under Vigilance Bureau lens for 'facilitating land grab' in Fatehgarh Sahib

Tribune News Service

Vishav Bharti

Chandigarh, June 21

Rural Development Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal’s handpicked man for getting panchayat land freed from encroachers has come under the scanner of the Vigilance Bureau (VB) for allegedly facilitating land grab in Fatehgarh Sahib in 2019.

Case pertains to 2019

• Jagwinderjit Singh Sandhu, who was the then ADC (Development), Fatehgarh Sahib, allegedly ruled in favour of private individuals in a case related to 152 acres of panchayat land in 2019
• There were allegations that Sandhu had pronounced the decision in favour of the panchyat, but written order came in favour of private individuals

If the Vigilance Bureau finds anything wrong in his decision, we will act as per the law. — Kuldeep Dhaliwal, Minister for rural development and Panchayats

Jagwinderjit Singh Sandhu, who was the then ADC (Development), Fatehgarh Sahib, has been made head of the task force by the state government to get the panchayat land vacated. However, the VB has sought record from the department regarding the 2019 case.

The case is related to 152 acres panchayat land of Baronga Jer village in Fatehgarh Sahib, which being the ADC, Sandhu ordered to be given to private individuals. Following the judgment, there were allegations that Sandhu had facilitated land grab by passing a wrong order as he had pronounced the decision in favour of the panchayat, but the written order came in favour of private individuals. The matter has been pending in the court of Joint Development Commissioner.

In a fresh development, a Joint Director of the VB has sought record related to the case. In a letter to the department on June 10, the VB has asked Dinesh Vashisht, ADC (Development), Fatehgarh Sahib, to submit the record. Vashisht confirmed that he had received a letter from the VB and he had submitted the record.

When contacted, Sandhu said his order in favour of private individuals was in accordance with the law. “Earlier, an inquiry was initiated against me, but it absolved me,” he claimed.

Interestingly, Sandhu is now posted as Deputy Director Rural Development, Jalandhar.

Minister for Rural Development and Panchayats Kuldeep Dhaliwal said, “If the Vigilance Bureau finds anything wrong in his decision, we will act as per the law.”

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