By Arun Pratap Singh
Dehradun, 29 May: The high-profile investigation into the sensational Haridwar land scam involving the Municipal Corporation, and led by IAS officer Ranveer Singh Chauhan, is now complete. The detailed report was submitted to the state government by Chauhan today after nearly 25 days of intensive inquiry. According to the sources, the report has found prima facie lapses and misconduct on the part of senior officials, indicating significant irregularities in the multi-crore land deal. The pressing question, now, is whether the Pushkar Singh Dhami government will act decisively or allow the findings to fade into oblivion, as seen in earlier scams like the National Highway (NH) scam.
This particular case pertains to the Haridwar Municipal Corporation’s purchase of land worth Rs 54 crores. This piece of land was originally categorised as agricultural land, but the land use was changed just before the purchase by the government. Several irregularities, including hasty land use conversion and bypassing of essential procedures, came to light during the inquiry. The matter first gained prominence when allegations arose that the government had incurred substantial financial losses amounting to several crores. The price of the land suddenly rose with the land use conversion to commercial property resulting in the government paying much more compensation against acquisition than it would have paid otherwise if the land use had remained agricultural. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had ordered an official probe after he took cognisance of the social media buzz and concern in political circles.
The CM had appointed IAS officer Ranveer Singh Chauhan as the investigating officer. Chauhan undertook comprehensive inspections, interrogated several officials and the landowners, and reviewed official records. The report, which has now been officially handed over, is reported to be carrying meticulous details regarding the irregularities such as illegal land use conversion under Section 143, non-formation of the Land Pool Committee, and deliberate overvaluation or inflation of land prices to benefit select parties.
The investigation also revealed that the Haridwar Municipal Corporation converted the land use from agricultural to commercial within a period of just 20 days after beginning the process which ordinarily involves several layers of scrutiny and approval and a much longer time. This expedited change raised suspicions of administrative manipulation and had become a major topic of speculation and discussion on social media. Despite the land being located near a garbage disposal centre, it was bought at a commercial price, skyrocketing from an approximate worth of Rs 15 crore to Rs 54 crore post-conversion. Ironically, this was done allegedly without obtaining mandatory government permissions or following transparent bidding procedures.
Key aspects of the case show glaring administrative negligence. Crucial committees meant to supervise land acquisition mandated under the laws were never constituted in this case. The land purchase file originally described the land as agricultural, but was later used for a commercial acquisition, leading to a massive price escalation. The investigation also pointed out that the land was purchased ostensibly for constructing a warehouse. However, the actual use of the land appears to have deviated from the stated purpose, with reports suggesting that it is still being used for garbage dumping, thereby violating even the conditional permissions granted.
The report reportedly names three senior officials as the main players and these are Haridwar DM Karmendra Singh, then Municipal Administrator and IAS officer Varun Chaudhary (currently Additional Secretary, Health), and SDM Ajayveer Singh. All have reportedly been held culpable in the report for violating government norms and procedures. The findings clearly recommend that appropriate departmental and disciplinary actions be initiated against them. Earlier, on 1 May, disciplinary action was taken against four officers involved in the case. These included Executive Officer Category-2 Ravindra Kumar Dayal, Assistant Engineer Anand Singh Misrawan, Tax and Revenue Superintendent Laxmikant Bhatt, and Junior Engineer Dinesh Chandra Kandpal. All were suspended for dereliction of duty. Additionally, retired Property Clerk Vedpal, whose service had been extended, was found complicit and his extension was revoked. Senior Finance Officer Nikita Bisht was also issued a notice seeking an explanation. This action had also raised eyebrows as no action was taken against any top officer suspected to be involved though, Chaudhary was transferred out of Haridwar as Additional Secretary with the government.
A key question that continues to stir political circles is the identity of the ‘mastermind’ who influenced the rapid processing of the land deal. The file for purchasing 33 bighas of land moved at an unprecedented pace with no clearly identified public project. Speculation is rife that powerful external influences may have played a role, yet no individual has been officially named as the primary architect of the scheme.
Further, no clear documentation was found stating for which project the land was being acquired. Sources in the Urban Development Department stated that there was no mention of any specific housing, commercial, or public welfare project. Although there was a vague reference to a warehouse, its feasibility and approval were never confirmed. The entire process of converting land use, fixing inflated prices, and completing registration within an unusually short timeframe suggests collusion at multiple levels.
It is also pertinent to note that the land deal was finalised in November 2024, when Haridwar Municipal Corporation had ended its term been dissolved and Varun Chaudhary was appointed as the Administrator. The land was purchased adjacent to the Sarai garbage dump for an amount of Rs 54 crores while an amount of Rs 6 crores was paid as stamp duty. The use of Section 143 was conditional, intended for constructing a warehouse, but with the caveat that deviation from this purpose would lead to automatic cancellation of permission. Yet, preliminary reports indicate the land has only been utilised for dumping garbage.
In addition, the process also circumvented a mandatory joint inspection by the Tehsildar and the Municipal Corporation. This again raises serious questions about the due diligence exercised in the case. Despite such glaring irregularities, no action has yet been taken against the highest-ranking officers, who allegedly authorised and supervised the deal.
It may be recalled that Mayor Kiran Jaiswal, upon assuming office, brought this scam to light by submitting a written complaint to CM Dhami. It was on her insistence that the matter was entrusted to Ranveer Singh for a thorough investigation. As of now, the state government has frozen the bank accounts of the farmers who sold the land.
The Dhami government now faces a critical dilemma. Will it demonstrate zero tolerance towards corruption as it claims, or will it protect senior bureaucrats while scapegoating junior staff? In the past, scams such as the NH scam resulted in selective action with no resolution at the top. Will this case be any different? Will the government act firmly on Chauhan’s findings and bring the guilty to book, or will this inquiry meet the same fate as countless others that promised accountability but delivered none?
