The Delhi government has directed its Anti-Corruption Branch to probe an alleged nexus between the Delhi Development Authority, officials of the three municipal corporations and the tent mafia. The move comes after a sting operation, aired on Thursday, conducted by a private television channel purportedly shows how some contractors ‘reserve’ bookings on DDA lands throughout the year.
Taking suo moto cognisance, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia ordered an inquiry in the evening.
The expose shows how a group of contractors have perennially set up tents and other facilities at East and West Delhi, claiming that all grounds are booked throughout the year. The sting operation, which has caught members of the purported mafia and DDA officials on camera, shows how the mafia reserve the grounds in the names of fictitious persons and take money from each customer in cash, at least three times the actual charges.
A contractor is shown telling a customer that he needs to approach the mafia in order to get the bookings done despite the DDA offering an e-booking facility for the sites. He also says while normal charges are around Rs.5 lakh, a customer may be charged anywhere up to Rs.30 lakh.
