Najeeb Jung orders probe over delay in filing pleas

New Delhi: In yet another setback to the Aam Aadmi Party government, Delhi lieutenant- governor Najeeb Jung has ordered an inquiry into the complaint against the Delhi government’s alleged delay in filing of appeals before the Delhi high court that might result in loss of Rs1,000 crore to the exchequer. The complainant has alleged that the Delhi government’s standing counsels — Santosh Kumar Tripathi and Rahul Mehra — deliberately caused delays in filing appeals before the HC for the Mandoli village land pockets, despite being paid in advance for the same. The limitation period for the appeals to be filed was 60 days, he said.

The complainant, Vibhor Anand, further alleged that the gross delays were caused deliberately to favour the land mafia. “Fifteen appeals for 17 cases, which the Delhi government had lost in the trial courts, were filed after a deliberate delay of over two years, so that these could be dismissed by the HC,” Mr Anand said.

“The applicant from the reliable source came to know that Mr Santosh Kumar Tripathi, even after receipt of substantial advance amount, delayed in filing appeals against the orders passed by the trial court. The Gram Sabha and the government may lose land worth more than Rs 1,000 crores, may be much higher as well, if the nexus is busted. Such nexus is in collusion with the revenue officals and the land mafia,” he said in his complaint to the L-G.

His complaint further alleged that it was a unique mode of favouritism and corruption to put the government at loss by the way of not filing an appeal before Delhi high court within the period of limitation and creating a delay of more than two years with the deliberate intent, so that the petitions ought to be dismissed only on the account of delay and the main petition would not be heard. “This is a modus operandi to favour the vested interest for facilitating land grabbing of government/gram sabha land which ought to be utilised for the common facility purpose,” his complaint added.

Mr Anand also alleged that these cases were to be handled by Mr Mehra were handed over to Mr Tripathi out of turn, who is the AAP government’s additional standing counsel (civil) in high court. His complaint also added that those handling the cases were “hobnobbing with the land mafia in the north-west Delhi area to get them a secure a favourable order and now the appeal has been delayed to such an extent.”