Garhwal Post Bureau
Haridwar, 19 June: The Uttarakhand government has finally approved prosecution in the Haridwar Municipal Corporation land purchase case, regarding which a vigilance inquiry has confirmed criminal conspiracy and fraud causing financial loss to the corporation.
The State Vigilance Committee headed by the Chief Secretary had recently recommended action against officials, employees and land sellers found guilty in the investigation. On this basis, the Chief Minister sanctioned the prosecution under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Prevention of Corruption Act. Those facing prosecution include former Municipal Commissioner Varun Chaudhary, former Assistant Municipal Commissioner Ravindra Kumar Dayal, former Tax Superintendent Laxmikant Bhatt, former Assistant Engineer and officiating Executive Engineer Anand Singh Mishran, former Property Clerk Vedpal and former Cartographer Dinesh Kandpal. In addition, land sellers and related people Suman Devi, Jitendra Kumar, Abhishek Yadav and Sujit Kumar Singh will also have to face prosecution.
The government has reiterated that no person involved in corruption or irregularities will be spared and that transparent, accountable and corruption-free administration remains its priority.
It may be recalled that the Haridwar Municipal Corporation land purchase case had surfaced in 2025 after the municipal elections. In this particular case, the Dhami Government has since the beginning adopted a strict administrative approach. The scam is related to the year 2024, when during the enforcement of the election code of conduct, the corporation had purchased 33 bighas of land for Rs 54 crores. The land was located next to the municipal waste dumping site, raising serious questions about its inflated valuation.
Investigations revealed that the agricultural land was wrongly recorded under category 143, and irregularities were committed in the purchase process. CM Dhami had entrusted IAS officer Ranveer Singh Chauhan with the inquiry, which confirmed irregularities in the deal. Following the preliminary findings, Dhami had then suspended then District Magistrate, Haridwar, Karmendra Singh, former Municipal Commissioner Varun Chaudhary, SDM Ajayveer Singh and several other municipal employees.
After a detailed vigilance probe and audit, the government has now dismissed IAS officer Varun Chaudhary from service with immediate effect. Former District Magistrate Karmendra Singh has been held guilty of serious negligence in discharging his duties and recommended for major punishment. Disciplinary action has also been ordered against Ajayveer Singh, including adverse entry in his service record and stoppage of three increments.
The Chief Minister reiterated that corruption will not be tolerated at any level and emphasised that transparency, accountability and public interest remain paramount. The government’s decision is being seen as one of the most significant administrative actions against corruption in Uttarakhand, sending a strong message that misuse of public funds and abuse of office will not be spared under any circumstances.
