The Lokayukta has directed the state government to form a special investigation team (SIT) headed by a retired district court judge to investigate alleged irregularities in the development of Mayfield Gardens, a residential society. The SIT will investigate similar issues in other projects as well and submit a report in three months.
Mayfield Gardens was developed by a group of five developers almost 15 years ago. The residential society, however, is still incomplete and devoid of basic infrastructure, including roads, community centre and power and water supply.
The SIT will investigate alleged irregularities on the part of the developer and the department of town and country planning (DTCP) in the development of the society and violations of norms.
The DTCP had issued 26 licences between 1994 and 2009 to the builders for the development of a residential plotted colony over 327.73 acres in sectors 45, 50, 52 and 57. However, the colony was allegedly not developed as per the sanctioned plan and the builders failed to complete development works, pay government dues and even renew the project licences. All these violations were overlooked by the department of town and country planning, the Lokayukta said.
Justice Nawal Kishore Agarwal passed the order for an SIT earlier this month on the basis of a complaint filed by a resident, Dharam Vir Yadav, in 2011. The SIT will comprise of a senior-most retired district court judge and the senior-most officers from DTCP and HSVP. While the order was passed on May 5, Yadav got a copy almost 20 days later on Wednesday.
“It is manifestly clear that the allegations levelled in the complaint appear to be serious and of grave nature, as substantive action has not been taken against the colonisers and builders for violation of the terms and conditions agreed upon between the parties at the time of issuance of licences,” the Lokayukta observed in its order.
“The developer illegally constructed and sold over 3,600 independent floors. The authorities didn’t take action against the builders for their serious and grave violations,” complainant Yadav said.
When approached, district town planner (DTP) RS Batth said: “We had registered a police complaint against the developers last year, following which an FIR was filed.”
