NEW DELHI: Delhi High Court has asked Delhi Development Authority to cooperate and furnish all information sought by CBI to conduct its probe into alleged lapses in the construction of 336 multistoreyed HIG/MIG houses at Signature View Apartments in north Delhi.
In a recent order, Justice Chandra Dhari Singh factored in the submission of CBI that despite reminders, DDA has not yet informed it if any internal inquiry was conducted to fix responsibility nor has it furnished the names of officials involved so that the investigating agency can proceed with its criminal probe.
“Taking into consideration all the submissions made, this court is of the view that CBI may send a notice in writing to the competent authority of DDA for the purpose of initiation of inquiry, and on receipt of the said notice, the competent authority of DDA is directed to cooperate and supply the material as mentioned in the said notice to CBI at the earliest,” HC directed.
The court further made it clear that if during the internal inquiry, the names of DDA’s officials/officers cropped up, the civic body “shall give approval under Section 17A of PC Act at the earliest for the completion of the inquiry expeditiously.”
HC was reviewing the progress in the case, filed after lieutenant governor last year requested CBI to register it against all concerned, including the contractors, the testing agencies, DDA officials, and unknown persons, for the offences of “cheating, criminal breach of trust, endangering the life and safety of others” and under relevant provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act.
CBI submitted that prior to launching the investigation, DDA said it would conduct an internal inquiry and provide the details as well as prosecution sanction for guilty officials, but despite the last reminder in July, no communication had come.
On behalf of DDA, standing counsel Sanjay Katyal assured HC that the civic body had no hesitation in cooperating with CBI and whatever material documents were required, including sanctions, would be provided.
The court was hearing a plea that argued that despite LG’s directions in Jan 2023, no progress had been made. Meanwhile, residents of Signature View Apartment, including the two groups who filed two separate writ petitions concerning the complex’s redevelopment and enhanced FAR allocation, continue to await the court’s verdict.
“HC’s order is reserved for the last four months as the hearing happened on Aug 12, and we are keenly awaiting the verdict so that the demolition and reconstruction process can start. The lack of clarity has led people who moved out expecting that the redevelopment work would start anytime soon to begin offering their flat on rent. Nobody can pay both the rent and the EMI,” said Amarendra Rakesh, president of its RWA. He also highlighted the continued incidents of plaster falling from the roof, etc.
An IIT report had declared the society as structurally unsound, leading LG to instruct DDA in Jan 2023 to “immediately vacate, dismantle and rebuild the towers”. However, the work has not started due to the ongoing cases.
