Whistleblower IAS officer exposes land deals in Haryana, shunted 43 times

[avnish]

A 1991 batch IAS officer from Haryana, Ashok Khemka has made serious charges against the Haryana government. The IAS officer has alleged that he is being targeted for exposing scams in the state. Khemka, who claims of being transferred for 40 times in 21 years, has alleged that his frequent transfer is a deliberate attempt to stop him from doing his duty.

Read more at :
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Punjab/Ch ... 43963.aspx

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/whis ... 24674.html

http://www.timesnow.tv/INDIA/IAS-office ... 412480.cms

http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/whist ... als-279309

[dheerajjain]

Honest IAS officer, Mr. Ashok Khemka has been transferred twice in 52 days for doing his job. Faridabad is not new to this phenomenon. We have seen 4 transfers of HUDA Administrator, Faridabad in just 1 year. Even HUDA Administrator Smt. Amneet Kumar who was doing excellent work in starting and pushing for development of Greater Faridabad was transferred allegedly on instance of some local Congress neta. IAS (Fixation of Cadre Strength) Regulations 2010 say that IAS officer should have a lock in period of 2 years for him to effectively discharge his duties but that has been openly flouted by State Govts. (strangely Congress Govt. itself).

[naveenarichwal]

It is so sad to see that honest buerocrats are so rare and can be counted on finger tips.Out of many IAS officers only Mr Khemka is Honest,rest are all colluding with the netaji.

[dheerajjain]

Nexus between Haryana Govt., DLF and Mr Vadra is in full public view. Value of the land involved in deal went up from Rs. 7.5 crore to Rs. 58 crore in just 65 days.

NDTV reports:

http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/whist ... eal-280243

Chandigarh: IAS officer Ashok Khemka was transferred three days after he ordered a probe into all land dealings of Robert Vadra and DLF. Dr Khemka, as the Inspector General of Registration in Haryana, in an order dated October 12, 2012, had asked the deputy commissioners-cum-registrars of the four districts of Gurgaon, Faridabad, Palwal and Mewat to inspect all documents registered from January 1, 2005 till date on behalf of Mr Vadra or his companies.

Speaking to NDTV, Dr Khemka, who has had 40 transfers in his 20-year-career, says," If these problems are brought in sunshine, probably my decisions would appear to be normal correct. But what happens is, inside, you are guided and directed that behave differently. If you do take an action which you call strong but I would call as correct, and then action is taken against you, it's very demoralising, dehumanising and you feel ashamed of yourself that look, there must be something wrong with you that these things are happening. You get words like 'you don't get along well with others, 'there are shades of grey in life' etc. These kinds of euphemism are created to deviate you from the correct path," Mr Khemka told NDTV.

Documents accessed by NDTV show that Mr Khemka was transferred after he ordered a probe into some of Mr Vadra's land deals with DLF.

Khemka rejects Haryana govt's claim that he wanted transfer
After allegations were made by activist-turned-politician Arvind Kejriwal and India Against Corruption questioning deals between Mr Vadra and DLF, Mr Khemka initiated a formal inquiry.

Mr Kejriwal said today that it is unfortunate that such an honest officer has been transferred 40 times in the last 20 years. "He upfronted a deal that was to happen between Vadra and DLF and he ordered to cancel the deals. I want to know from Chief Minister that is there a policy in Haryana about transfer? He was transferred in three months. Does that transfer policy say that if you say anything against Vadra and his family then you will be transferred?" Mr Kejriwal said.

Mr Khemka had cancelled the land deal between Mr Vadra and DLF on the last day of his stint on October 15. Surprisingly, the value of the land went up from Rs. 7.5 crore to Rs. 58 crore in just 65 days after getting the licence.

"It is shocking to learn about my abrupt transfer...this is deliberate and malafide to punish me due to some vested elements in the political-bureaucratic hierarchy affected by the expose of the scams in consolidation of land holdings under the exercise of powers," Mr Khemka said, in a letter written to Chief Secretary PK Chaudhary.

The senior IAS officer seems to be paying the price for standing up for farmers of seven villages in Gurgaon who are trying to get back 19 acres of panchayat land along the Gurgaon-Faridabad highway from private builders. Mr Khemka had, during his 50-day stint in the department, detected how bureaucrats had colluded with politicians to acquire prime plots near highways which were subsequently sold at grossly undervalued rates to realtors. He submitted an affidavit in court that two of his predecessors had side-stepped norms to benefit builders in 2008-09.

"The land was sold by senior officers...they sold it to builders or someone else...God only knows...but we request the government to return our land to the panchayat," said Khushi Ram, a farmer from the Ullawas village in Gurgaon.

But this isn't the first time that Mr Khemka has been transferred. In July, the bureaucrat had been moved out of the Haryana State Electronics Development Corporation (HARTRON) when he drew attention to the certain corrupt prices in the department. The latest transfer is the 43rd in his career.

"I have requested the Chief Secretary to allow me at least two years of posting as per the service rules... frequent transfers like these is demoralising for upright officers," Mr Khemka told NDTV.

But the government has rejected the IAS officer's accusation as his "incorrect perception" that he was being punished "for exposing scams". "It (transfer) is the prerogative of the Government. The officer was transferred for administrative reasons," the Chief Secretary said.

The Opposition, though, has seized upon the mater to criticise the state government for harassing an upright officer. "Hooda government has been exposed...innocent and honest officers are being harassed...those who don't allow corrupt practices are frequently transferred," BJP leader Anil Vij said.

Mr Khemka's transfer seems to be just one among the several cases of political witch-hunt. Earlier, another IAS officer Sanjeev Chaturvedi had met a similar fate before being finally bailed out by the Centre.

[dheerajjain]

Director General, Town and Country Planning (DGTCP), Shri T.C.Gupta has defended Haryana Govt. and asked for action against Mr. Khemka in deal between DLF-Vadra-Haryana Govt. This should come as no surprise to GFWA members who have been visiting Chandigarh many times, lodged more than thousand complaints in TCP office in Faridabad, sending speed posts to highlight corrupt practices done by builders in blatant violation of laws and still no action was taken.As an eyewash, EDC audit probe was ordered by DGTCP but no action was taken against builders based on findings of report.

CNN IBN Reports, Oct 18, 12:

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/robert-vadra ... 3-240.html

[gopalvijay]

This shows the true colours of Mr. T C Gupta. He is shielding the corrupt persons. He is not fit for the high post he holds. We cannot expect any justice from such person.

[drajitpratap]

But we can't do any thing in present set up. Hopeless situation...

[sendtomanish]

Thats is the reason few officer like Mr T.C Gupta,DGTCP,Mr S.S.Dhillion,FC&PS ,TCP held same office for 10 year w/o transfer and office like Mr Khemka got 43 Transfers in less than20yrs.
Clearcut collusions

[naveenarichwal]

Even Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda Is directly involved by sighning the CLU for manesar land to be sold to Robert Vadra,Mr T.C.Gupta is just another IAS officer, if he speaks against his boss than he will be soon seen on TV debates crying just like Dr Khemka and he will be transfered and demoted.

[dheerajjain]

Source: http://www.hindustantimes.com/Punjab/Ch ... 46455.aspx
Haryana IAS officer Ashok Khemka has stood by his recent order of cancelling the land deal between DLF and Robert Vadra, saying here on Thursday that objectors were free to move the high court.
Khemka, who met chief secretary PK Chaudhery on the issue of his frequent transfers, the
last being after his order that hurt the realty giant and the son-in-law of Congress president Sonia Gandhi, said afterwards that he was satisfied with the meeting but would not speak on the details. He said Chaudhery had told him that his transfers were in the interest of the administration.

The town and country planning head, TC Gupta, had claimed in a letter to Chaudhery that there were "factual inaccuracies" in Khemka's order. Replying to a question about the letter, Khemka said it was a "red herring" to divert the real issue. "The real issue is that the money in land deals should go to the government, meaning people, and not anyone else," Khemka said, "Any issue in the interest of the country should not be diverted, and instead the government should exert to find a solution."

Khemka had cancelled the sale deed of 3.5-acre land to DLF following its deal with Vadra. The affected parties (Vadra, son-in-law of Congress president Sonia Gandhi, and DLF) have not objected, so far, to his order, but Khemka said they could move the Punjab and Haryana high court under Article 226 of the Constitution.

[dheerajjain]

Source: Amar Ujala (http://www.amarujala.com) 20.10.12

Please find attached

[dheerajjain]

http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-new ... 48010.aspx

India Against Corruption (IAC) supporters from Haryana trooped down to state chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda's residence on Pandit Pant Marg on Sunday to protest the Hooda government's alleged involvement in Robert Vadra-DLF land deals.

The police responded to the protesters with water cannon and detained several of them.

The activists from Haryana first gathered near the Gol Dak Khana and then marched towards Hooda's residence but Delhi police had put up barricades on the road leading towards his house.

However, when the agitators insisted on going ahead and breached the barricades, police tried to prevent them and many of them reached the gate of Hooda's residence. This prompted the police to use water cannon and force to disperse the gathering. Police also detained many of them, who were later released.

Those injured in police action were taken to the nearby RML hospital. IAC leader-turned-politician Arvind Kejriwal - who was not present at the demonstration earlier - met the injured at the hospital and later called a media conference at his Ghaziabad office to condemn police action.

"IAC members were taking out a peaceful demonstration to protest alleged efforts (by Hooda) to save Vadra, who was in turn aided by Hooda to favour the realty major," Kejriwal alleged.

Later in the day, Kejriwal paraded three-four of the injured activists at his Ghaziabad office when Annie Kohli, 60, - a former IAC member -along with few other persons shouted slogans against him and Manish Sisodia, another IAC leader, accusing them of flip flop on several issues outside his office.

Amid continued slogans, Kejriwal said he will talk to her and came out. Kohli badgered him with questions such as: "Are you a revolutionary or a Gandhian or a politician?"

[dheerajjain]

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Punjab/Ch ... 49117.aspx

Haryana IAS officer Ashok Khemka on Tuesday questioned the legal authority of the committee formed by the Haryana government to probe into his recent order cancelling the land deal of Congress president Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra and real estate giant DLF. Khemka said that except for the high court no one had any legal authority to do so.

Stating that it was a quasi-judicial decision by director, general consolidation, Haryana, the post he held till October 11, Khemka said that it could only be challenged in the high court by the aggrieved party.

Asked if he felt that the Haryana government was trying to shield Vadra, he denied having made any insinuation to this effect.

The Haryana government had on Friday formed an inquiry committee headed by additional chief secretary, revenue, Krishan Mohan, with two other senior IAS officers KK Jalan and Rajan Gupta to examine Khemka's stand on the land deals involving Vadra and DLF in Gurgaon and Palwal districts.

To a question on the recent letter by TC Gupta, director, town and country planning department, to chief secretary PK Chaudhery, terming Khemka's order incorrect, he said it was a "red herring" to divert attention from the real issue.

The inquiry, which was to be completed within a month by the committee, was to look into Khemka's claims on land deals involving Robert Vadra's M/s Sky Light Hospitality Pvt Ltd and DLF
Universal.

Khemka had on October 15 cancelled the mutation of the 3.5-acre plot sold by Vadra to DLF for Rs. 58 crore. The panel was also to look into all decisions pertaining to land deals taken by Khemka and other officials of land consolidation department. It would take into consideration objections raised by town and country planning department director TC Gupta against the claims of Khemka in the context.

[dheerajjain]

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/clea ... 26418.html

Haryana whistleblower Ashok Khemka said on Friday that the claimed clearance to AICC president Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra in relation to the land deals seemed premature. He said that the farmers land were sold to Vadra at throwaway prices.

Vadra was speaking to mediapersons after they sought his comments on a report submitted by four deputy commissioners in Haryana - who have reportedly given a "clean chit" to Vadra over his controversial land deals. Khemka, who refrained from loud outburst, also said that he was not aware if the "report" was submitted to the government.

The inquiry against Vadra's properties was ordered by Ashok Khemka on October 12 to probe undervaluation of his properties to evade stamp duty. He was transferred out of the department soon after he issued the directions to four DCs to probe the matter. The inquiry carried out by the deputy commissioners Gurgaon, Faridabad, Palwal and Mewat, however, indicated that there was violation of norms or undervaluation of the property.

Sources in the government said that the inquiry report would be taken up by a high-power committee headed by the additional chief secretary Haryana for probing the allegations levelled by Khemka. Meanwhile, the sources said the government did not implement the order cancelling Vadra-DLF deal. The order was issued by Ashok Khemka before leaving his office after his transfer.

The sources also said that the report of the DCs was authentic and correct since the enquiry had been conducted by "responsible IAS officers."

The sources further added that one of the reports suggested that Vadra paid more as stamp duty than what he was liable for. The clean chit had no bearing on the cancellation of the mutation of land deal between DLF and Vadra.

The "clean chit" to Vadra has invited strong criticism from various quarters, including India Against Corruption (IAC) activist Arvind Kejriwal.

"That was expected. The country would be surprised if it were otherwise. In Haryana, all good officers are shunted out. Those in key positions crawl when asked to bend. Now Congress will protect Gadkari and BJP will protect Vadra," Kejriwal said.

[dheerajjain]

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/new ... 046340.cms

Ashok Khemka, who is in the news over deals involving Robert Vadra, has received another threat call and Panchkula police have begun an enquiry.
CHANDIGARH: Senior Haryana IAS officerAshok Khemka, who is in the news following the recent controversy over land deals involving Robert Vadra, has received another threat call and Panchkula police have begun an enquiry into the matter.

"A complaint has been filed by a senior functionary of the Haryana Seed Development Corporation on Tuesday, according to which an unknown person made a call on Khemka's official landline phone, which was received by a woman employee present in the office.

"The caller, according to the complaint, used abusive language and threatened Khemka," Nupur Bishnoi, in-charge of Panchkula's Sector 5 police station, where the complaint has been lodged, said today.

She said the employee disconnected the phone and narrated the incident to her superiors after which the police was approached.

"We are making preliminary enquiry into the matter. No case has been registered so far," Bishnoi said.

A fortnight back, the 1991-batch IAS officer's friend and noted lawyer, Anupam Gupta had said that Khemka had received threat calls from unknown people.

"He had told me that he has received some phone calls in which people had threatened him and asked him to stop his activities. The callers asked him to desist or else he would be eliminated," according to Gupta.

Khemka was not available for his version. In his letter to Chief Secretary P K Chaudhary, a day after his transfer on October 11, Khemka wrote, "my family feels threatened due to certain vested elements whose interests were adversely affected by the exposure of scams in this department (last posting). I plead for security and fixed tenure in a cadre post befitting my seniority".

Khemka was transferred from Director General Consolidation of Land Holdings and Land Records-cum-Inspector General of Registration to his present posting in the State's Seed Development Corporation shortly after he initiated a probe into land dealings between Vadra and realty giant DLFBSE 0.81 %.

A probe report submitted by four deputy commissioners in Haryana is understood to have given a "clean chit" to Vadra over his land deals.