Under fire over the transfer of senior IAS officer Ashok Khemka in the wake of the Robert Vadra land row, Haryana government on Tuesday said there was no malafide intention in its decision even as it ordered an inquiry into issues raised by the officer.
Khemka, who was removed as Inspector General of Registration after he ordered a probe into all the land dealings of Vadra, Congress president Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law in four districts of Haryana, said it was ‘grossly unfair to punish him for being upright and exposing the scams’.
Addressing a press conference here, Haryana Chief Secretary P.K. Chaudhary said there was ‘no malice or malafide intention’ in the decision to transfer Khemka.
The state government had acted in pursuance to the direction of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, he said while refuting Khemka's allegations of harassment.
"The preliminary facts brought to the notice of the State Government by the District Revenue Authority at Gurgaon point out that prima-facie the factual position is different from the stand taken by Khemka."
He said, "The State Government has nonetheless ordered an inquiry into all the issues raised by Shri Khemka."
The Inquiry Committee will be headed by Additional Chief Secretary and will have two other senior members of the State Government, Chaudhary said, adding it has been asked to completed its task within one month.
"The Inquiry Committee will look into legality of actions taken by officials concerned, including acts of omissions and commissions, if any," he said.
"The transfer of Mr.Khemka was in compliance with the directions of the Hon'ble High Court. And, there is no question of either haste or any malice on the part of the government," Choudhary said.
Dismissing Khemka's charge that he was shunted out because he had ordered a probe on land deals involving Vadra, he said the transfer order was issued on October 11 while Khemka gave his direction on October 15.
"So, the question of these being the reasons of his transfer does not arise. Secondly in the representation which Mr.Khemka made, he never made any mention of his order which he had issued," Chaudhary said.
Refuting the allegation of undervaluation of property registered, Chaudhary said a detailed report was obtained from Tehsildar-cum-Registrar, Manesar through Deputy Commissioner,
Gurgaon of property registered between Vadra's M/s Sky Light Hospitality Pvt. Ltd. and M/s DLF Universal.
He said that as per the report the sale deed and subsequent transfer of the land were way higher than the collector rates. Hence, no loss to revenue of the State has been caused by these sale deed, he claimed.
Chaudhary also contradicted Khemka by contending that no separate permission from Consolidation Officer was required as Tehsildar has powers to register documents in the capacity as sub-registrar.