DDA Ordered to Investigate Illegal Residential Land Dealings
The Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to investigate illegal residential land transactions, including sales and purchases, within the city. This directive comes in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by a Delhi resident.
High Court Intervention Prompts Investigation
A bench of the Delhi High Court, headed by Chief Justice D. Murugesan and Justice V.K. Jain, issued the order. The court demonstrated receptiveness to the PIL and instructed the DDA Vice-Chairman to conduct a thorough and effective investigation into the matter.
"The petition is passed to DDA which will look into the matter seriously,"stated the HC Bench.
Illegal Sales of Allotted Plots Under Scrutiny
The heart of the issue lies in the illegal sale and purchase of residential plots allocated under the DDA's large-scale land acquisition, development, and sale scheme. These transactions are taking place despite regulations prohibiting such activities.
PIL Filed by Delhi Resident
Rajesh Kumar, a Delhi resident, filed the PIL, requesting a CBI probe into these illicit land transactions. His petition highlights the alleged illegal sale of plots by allottees whose land had been previously acquired by the DDA.
Violation of Resale Restrictions
Existing regulations stipulate a period during which the resale of allotted land is prohibited. Furthermore, allottees are required to obtain prior approval from the DDA before selling any allotted plots.
The petitioner contends that these regulations are being routinely flouted, with sales and purchases occurring without informing DDA, resulting in significant financial losses for the authority.
"Neither the sellers nor the buyers have taken the NOC so far," the petition stated, emphasizing the extent of these violations. The PIL, backed by information obtained through an RTI enquiry, asserts the authenticity of these claims and calls for a CBI investigation.
Demand for CBI Investigation
Kumar's PIL specifically requests a CBI investigation into these illegal activities. He alleges that allottees, having had their land acquired by the DDA, are now illegally selling plots they were subsequently allotted, causing substantial revenue loss for the authority. The petition emphasizes that neither sellers nor buyers have obtained the necessary No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from DDA.