Solan DC’s decision to vest 44.5 bigha with govt upheld
In a big blow to those indulging in benami transactions in the state, Divisional Commissioner (DC), Shimla, has upheld the decision of Deputy Commissioner, Solan, to vest 44.5 bigha land near Kasauli bought violating revenue norms with the state government.
The case has brought to light the nexus of non-Himachalis purchasing land in the name of local villagers for furthering their commercial objectives.
The case, which was initially investigated by a special investigation team (SIT) in 2013, was later referred to the DC for further action. He had ordered vesting of this land with the state government in 2019 as it had violated section 118 of the HP Land Reforms and Tenancy Act, 1972. A period of six years was lost in appeals where the land owners challenged the DC’s order before the Divisional Commissioner but it brought no respite to them as his orders have been upheld in a recent order and the land would be vested with the state government confirmed a revenue officials.
Tehsildar Kasauli Jagpal Singh, when contacted, said they were awaiting orders of the Divisional Commissioner for acting further in the matter.
Notably, SIT probe had proved that land worth crores was bought in the name of Data Ram, a resident of Chatiyan village in Kasauli tehsil, and Deepak Virmani, who was a Delhi resident but also an agriculturist of Himachal, by transferring crores in their account by several non-Himachalis in violation of the revenue laws.
First, 11 biswa land was bought at Sakhli village for Rs 6 lakh in November 2007 by Data Ram. A sum of Rs 4 lakh was transferred in his account by one Brijesh Virmani of Delhi to facilitate the sale. Several such deals were made subsequently. The probe had established that a sum of Rs 16 crore to Rs 17 crore was transferred in the bank account of Data Ram from 2006 to 2014 for buying 39.15 bighas, while 13.1-bigha land was bought in the name of his family members.
“Several non-Himachalis transferred crores of rupees in an unregistered company, Mount and Pinance Company, which was specially created for the purpose. The company was run by Rohit Virmani, son of Brijesh Virmani. A sum of Rs 2,24,48,000 was credited in Data Ram’s bank account from February 2009 to December 2013 to facilitate the construction of flats,” informed a revenue official.
Another company by the name of Kasauli Hills Home was registered in Delhi, where Data Ram was shown to be a share holder, while Brijesh Virmani and Ramesh Chand, both of whom were non-Himachalis, were its directors. The company was engaged in selling flats to prospective buyers and funds worth crores were deposited in its account.
The annual income tax returns of Data Ram as well as Deepak Virmani had no mention about these land transactions, as inquired by SIT.
As many as eight flats were constructed on the land shown to be bought by Data Ram, where two blocks of four-storeys were constructed and eight persons were shown to be its tenants. This was done to secure water and power connections in 2010.
Despite no building maps having been approved by the Town and Country Planning Department, they managed to secure power and water connections for these flats. The people shown as tenants had transferred lakhs in the bank account of Mount and Pinance Company
While an in-depth probe had established that Delhi residents had invested crores in the project, several IAS as well as defence officials had bought flats, construction of which was in its initial stages.