Haryana Chief Minister ML Khattar (PTI photo)
On the basis of a report of the Central Forensic Sciences Laboratory in Chandigarh, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has ordered that a criminal case be registered against former chief Parliamentary Secretary Ram Kishan Fauji in the Change of Land Use (CLU) scam for commission of an offence punishable under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The Lokayukta had, in its report, made the recommendation.
Mr Fauji was one of 10 leaders caught in a series of sting operations involving CDs conducted by the opposition party - Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) - in the cash for CLU expose. INLD had carried out sting operations to expose ministers in the previous government led by Bhupinder Singh Hooda involved in the lucrative 'change of land use' (CLU) license business. The Lokayukta had ordered the registration of an FIR in the case during the previous regime but the implementation was delayed.
Mr Khattar has further ordered that the matter be referred to the State Vigilance Bureau, the suggestions made by the Lokayukta implemented and a senior competent police officer be deputed to investigate the entire case expeditiously on all counts of allegations of corruption levelled in the CD.