SIT summons tehsildar, 8 others in land scam

Our Correspondent

Hoshiarpur, July 27 

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the NH-70 Hoshiarpur land acquisition scam has summoned former Tehsildar, Naib Tehsildar, four patwaris, three other employees and some others at the DIG Vigilance office in Chandigarh on July 28. 

Last week, the investigation was conducted at Vigilance Bureau's Jalandhar office and statements of several witnesses, including those whose plots were purchased after the notification of acquisition, were recorded. Sources said these persons had complained of having being cheated by a "fake colony owner" who purchased their land for meagre prices by claiming that the government would offer negligible compensation for their land. 

In their statements, they told the SIT that one or the other "property dealer" or agent visited them and told them that their land would be acquired but they would supposed get nothing for it as the government would be acquiring it for a road. They convinced them to sell their land for a price as low as Rs 60,000 per marla whereas those who purchased the said plots from them have received a compensation of around Rs 7 lakh. 

Besides, agents too fleeced them by taking money from them for such deals, they alleged. Sources claimed some big shots of the ruling party and their family members, who had purchased the plots after notification, too have been summoned though these people have not confirmed it.