Allahabad HC: Deterrent action needed against corrupt and dishonest people

Allahabad High Court: The Division Bench comprising of Sudhir Agarwal and Ajit Kumar, JJ. opined that time and again, complaints of various irregularities coupled with corruption prevailing at large-scale in Development Authorities have been brought to the notice of this court in various matters and the record has fortified in respect of MDA in the present case.
The petitioner was involved in an auction process conducted by Meerut Development Authority for the sale of certain plots in the Defence Enclave, Meerut. According to the petitioner and the facts stated by him, he was the only tenderer in the whole process involved and certainly due to that reason he was declared to be the highest bidder in the auction. Subsequently, for that reason he had sent a letter to the authorities in that regard and asked for his allotment letter. Later, the petitioner came to know that tender-cum-auction sheet was tampered by adding  Respondent 5 and making his bid the highest.
The entire process of tender-cum-auction was realized to be a farce after observing the stated facts by the petitioner, which came to the conclusion of MDA violating the terms and conditions and allotting land to its own favourites at throwaway prices.
Therefore the Hon’ble Court observed that after recording the facts and stands taken in various affidavits submitted before this court, a clear collusion of all officers involved in the matter including the Vice-Chairman, MDA cannot be spared. Further with sheer disappointment in the authorities, the Court also highlighted that in the matter of public dealing where process of allotment of land needs impartial, objective and transparent procedure, MDA and its officials are indulged in otherwise corrupt activities. Patent and evident illustration of corruption can only be the apt way of depicting this act.
The matter was further directed to the Principal Secretary, Nagar Vikas to forthwith refer the matter for vigilance inquiry against all officials involved and further, accordingly criminal and other actions shall be initiated in this regard. [Narendra Kumar Tyagi v. State of U.P.,  2018 SCC OnLine All 107, order dated 11-01-2018]