Ex-MLA’s brother gets Rs 40-cr land for just Rs 35,100

Deepkamal Kaur

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, June 1

Even as the SAD is out of power, its leaders still seem to exercise influence.

In one such case, Paramjit Singh, brother of former Akali MLA Sarabjit Makkar, managed to get transferred 19 kanal and 17 marla of Centre’s land in Basti Sheikh area of the city for just Rs 35,100. The land, which has a market value of Rs 40 crore, has been allotted on the orders of Tehsildar (Sales) Navdeep Singh on the basis of its possession with Makkar’s father as sub-lessee.

Even as the Claims Commissioner had dismissed Paramjit’s petition in 2011 and the Financial Commissioner Revenue (FCR) dismissed the appeal last year, the Tehsildar passed the orders in favour of Paramjit on May 8. A sales certificate was issued. It was registered in the sub-registrar’s office on May 22, the day the Tehsildar relinquished his charge. On the same day, ‘intkal’ was done too.

Paramjit had been seeking transfer of the land in favour of his father late Roshan Singh, son of Sant Singh (lessee), under the Displaced Persons (Compensation and Rehabilitation) Act 1954. He claimed that on May 11, 1965, the Settlement Officer (urban lands) agreed to transfer the land to Roshan Singh at Rs 550 per kanal for a total amount of Rs 10,922. He was asked to deposit 20 per cent of the amount by September 1969, which he did after which a dispute arose and the remaining amount of Rs 8,738 was not paid.

Roshan Singh passed away in 2005. His son submitted the application for transfer of land in 2011.

The case was referred to the Claims Commissioner who dismissed it saying that the allotment order was passed by the Regional Settlement Commissioner whereas the application was submitted 40 years later and was not maintainable citing an apex court judgment in the case of Union of India v/s Hardyal.

Paramjit’s appeal was dismissed by FCR KBS Sidhu on July 13 last year.

Even as Sarabjit Makkar has allegedly been closely following up the matter with the officials, he feigned ignorance today. “I have no information about this case,” he said. Paramjit Makkar said, “We have rather been victims in this case and the land has been transferred too late.”

Tehsildar Navdeep Singh said, “I have committed no illegality. The land was already in the possession of Makkars. It is just that dues were to be recovered.”

Jalandhar DC Varinder Kumar Sharma said, “The urban land in no case could be transferred like this under the Act. The Tehsildar has committed grave errors. I have recommended action against him with the FCR. I have also imposed a stay on the orders as well as a stay on the further sale of the property.”