By Arun Pratap Singh
Dehradun, 14 Feb: In view of the strict stand taken by High Court judge, Justice Rakesh Thapliyal on the ongoing feud between Khanpur MLA Umesh Kumar and the former MLA Kunwar Pranav Singh ‘Champion’, the government is reconsidering allotment of premium government accommodation to MLA Umesh Kumar at Ganga Canal in Haridwar. It is also learnt that the Y Plus category provided to Umesh Kumar will also be reviewed following the concern raised by the High Court in this regard. Sources claimed that the allotment of a bungalow of the State Irrigation Department along the Ganga Canal will most likely be cancelled as the house has been allotted to Kumar in violation of the rules and without any eligibility.
Sources added that while the house allotment to Kumar will most likely be cancelled, his security cover of Y Plus category, generally reserved for high-ranking officials or ministers will be reviewed along with a review of security provided also to former MLA Kunwar Pranav Singh. It may be recalled that the High Court had sought to know in its hearing held yesterday on what basis Y Plus category security had been approved to Umesh Kumar instead of just providing security meant for the MLAs. It may also be recalled that the High Court had also sought an explanation from the Prosecution Officer why the legal cases pending against Kumar had been hidden from the lower court and the High Court. The Court had also observed that Kumar has a long background of serious criminal charges against him and despite this, he was given highly preferential treatment by the officials.
Sources claimed that the irrigation department has started the process of cancelling the allotment of the government house to Kumar in Haridwar. The state government presented its side on this issue yesterday. The next date of hearing in the case has been fixed on 17 February and before this date, the allotment of the house may be cancelled in order to satisfy the court, which had taken suo motu cognisance of the firing incidents on 25 and 26 January related to Kumar and Champion.
It may also be reminded here that, while former MLA Pranav Champion is in jail since 28 January in the firing case, the current MLA Umesh Kumar is travelling abroad (UAE) after getting bail. After the two-day hearing in the High Court, the departments concerned have started taking necessary action so as to avoid further displeasure of Justice Rakesh Thapliyal. The Judge had also shown strong displeasure with the attitude of the prosecution officer who did not give correct information to the court about the cases and criminal history of MLA Umesh Kumar.
The court was also informed about the conduct of the prosecution officer. It was also said that the lower court was not informed about the criminal history of the MLA. As a result, the lower court granted bail to Umesh Kumar. An explanation is also most likely to be sought from the prosecution officer concerned regarding non-disclosure of the criminal history of Khanpur MLA Umesh Kumar.
Yesterday, the government had informed that a committee has been constituted to review the security given to MLA Umesh Kumar and former MLA Pranav Singh Champion. The court was informed by the government that the committee will soon take a decision regarding the security given to these political persons.
The government had also shared with the High Court that the monthly rent of the government accommodation allotted to the independent MLA Umesh Kumar from Khanpur is Rs 1,693 per month.
