While the UT Vigilance is yet to arrest four accused wanted in the UK-based NRI cheating case, Home Secretary Ram Niwas on Monday transferred Assistant Estate Officer Ashwani Kumar, suspecting his involvement in the case. Ashwani Kumar, who is also holding charge of Returning Officer in the forthcoming Panchayat Elections, will be relieved of his charge on Tuesday, after the UT Administration gets a nod from the State Election Commission. UT Administration has already sent a fax to the Election Commission, seeking permission to transfer Kumar.

Officials of UT Estate Office, in connivance with a battery of lawyers, had allegedly issued a No-Objection Certificate, followed by a registered sale deed of a SCF located in Sector 20, without the knowledge of its owner, Tara Singh. When Singh came to know of it, he brought it to the notice of the home secretary on Sunday, following which the Vigilance Department registered a criminal case and initiated investigation.

“Kumar’s transfer orders have been issued, but the formal nod of the State Election Commission is required, since he is the Returning Officer for the forthcoming elections. We shall get the orders tomorrow. Hargunjit Kaur, the Land Acquisition Officer, would be given all charge that Kumar was holding till date. Kumar would replace her as LAO for the time being,” said a senior UT Administration official.

Besides Ashwani Kumar, all those officials of Estate Office, who dealt with Tara Singh’s case file, will have to face inquiry. “The investigating officials are compiling all prima facie evidence and details, which would be put up before me in a formal report. Action would be taken against all those found guilty. Nobody will be spared,” said Ram Niwas.

... contd.