5 former Cong MLAs appear before ADGP in cash-for-CLU sting probe

PANCHKULA: Former health minister Narender Singh, former chief parliamentary secretary Vinod Bhayana and ex-MLAs Ram Niwas Ghorela, Jarnail Singh and Naresh Selwal on Wednesday appeared before ADGP (operations) V Kamraja here at the police lines to join investigations in the fact-finding probe ordered by Haryana lokayukta into the alleged cash-for-CLU sting.
The lokyukta has formally started the probe and is in the process to add five members to the special investigation team (SIT) headed by Kamraja for further investigations.Kamraja said once the officers join the SIT he would be able to have day-to-day proceedings in the probe to meet the deadline of three months as directed by lokayukta.
On October 1, lokyukta Justice (retd) Pritam Pal had directed ADGP Kamraja to submit a fact-finding report about the allegations of demanding/negotiating for the cash in lieu of change of land use (CLU) permissions and some contracts under Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) in the video footage of sting operations aired by INLD.
INLD leaders Abhay Singh Chautala, Krishan Panwar, Pardeep Chaudhary, Ashok Arora and Ram Pal Majra had complained against the five accused who lost the recent Haryana assembly polls.
"They (accused ex-MLAs) have been told to cooperate with the investigations. We will be calling the complainants and also seek the material required in the probe. We are hopeful of submitting the report in the given deadline," Kamraj said.
Narender and Jarnail evaded media queries after their appearance at the ADGP's office. "I am not supposed to give any statement. Whatever it is, it will be before the investigating agency," said the former health minister. Jarnail Singh, former Congress MLA from Ratia, managed to leave without speaking to the media.
Meanwhile, Selwal, Bhayana and Ghorela termed the proceedings as an outcome of the vindictive stand by INLD. "None of us supported Ajay Singh Chautala in the byelections and even during the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, his son Dushyant Chautala could not lead from our constituencies. Hence, INLD resorted to this act. We are confident of coming out clean in the probe,'' said Selwal.
The case dates back to September 2013, when INLD released the video CDs of the sting in which the five MLAs were seen allegedly negotiating with some persons to help them get CLU permissions for agricultural land in return for money. Following that, five INLD MLAs had lodged the complaints before the Haryana lokayukta in January. The lokayukta has already recommended the registration of criminal case against former CPS Ram Kishan Fauji who was also caught on camera while negotiating for the CLU in a sting operation by two youths last year.