Moga ADC Charumita Shekhar reinstated after over 3 months of suspension
The reinstatement comes with the stipulation that the ongoing inquiry into her alleged involvement in a land acquisition controversy will continue
After more than three months of suspension, Moga Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Charumita Shekhar has been officially reinstated to her duties by Punjab Chief Secretary KAP Sinha.
The reinstatement comes with the stipulation that the ongoing inquiry into her alleged involvement in a land acquisition controversy will continue.
Charumita was placed under suspension on November 6 last year in connection with a complex ‘double compensation’ dispute concerning land acquired for the National Highway-703 project (Dharamkot-Shahkot stretch). The controversy arose when landowners approached the High Court seeking higher compensation. Subsequent investigations suggested that the land may have already been government property since 1963.
Charumita has consistently denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that she did not approve the “change of land use” (CLU) and that the compensation funds remained in a government account and were never disbursed to private individuals.
The 2014-batch PCS officer was sidelined after an inquiry flagged irregularities regarding a Rs 3.7-crore award for the land on National Highway-703. Investigators alleged that the land, already state property since 1963, was treated as a fresh acquisition. Charumita has defended her actions throughout, emphasizing that no financial loss was incurred by the state as the disputed funds were never released.
