After taking cognizance of the High Court, the team that came to investigate found illegal occupation of 40% of the land of the ponds.

By Sandy Verma On Nov 7, 2024

Shahjahanpur/After filing a petition in the High Court regarding corruption in development works and Suraj Hamara's use of substandard material in Gram Panchayat Gadhia Rangi of Jaitipur development block of the district, a three-member team formed by District Officer Dharmendra Pratap Singh reached Gadhiya Rangi on Wednesday where The team had to investigate on 16 points, in which mainly investigation was done on three points which included the playground built in the Gram Panchayat, the R.K. built in the village. R. C. Center, garbage disposal center and illegal encroachment on the pond were investigated by the team where the boundary hair of the Integrated Solid Waste Management Center was uprooted by the team and five bricks and mortar were sealed.

The three members of the team that will be investigated include UP District Officer Tilhar, District Backward Class Welfare Officer, and Assistant Engineer, Rural Engineering Department, Shahjahanpur, Uday Pratap Singh, reached the spot and inspected many ponds in the Gram Panchayat, 40% of whose lands are illegally occupied. The Deputy District Magistrate found encroachments. Instructions have been given to the Regional Accountant and Naib Tehsildar to remove the illegal encroachments by getting the measurements done. The investigation team has also found illegal encroachment on the government shops of the Gram Panchayat, regarding which SDM Tilhar has informed the Village Development Officer and Instructions have been given to the concerned to immediately remove the illegal encroachment.

Where the team also visited the playground and saw the half-completed boundary wall which was hastily prepared by the village head, the officials collected from the Panchayat Department officials the amount of money spent and related documents regarding the playground. At present, during the investigation, instead of 16 points, the investigation team was able to investigate only three to four points, the main points are the illegal recovery of haat market in the Gram Panchayat, and many development works and hand pumps done in the Gram Panchayat. The investigation related to Rivor could not be conducted on Wednesday.

The complainant did not seem satisfied with the investigation and said that the investigation was being supplemented.

Complainant Bhagwan Sharan Sharma, after the investigation team left, told the media that a team of investigating officers had come but instead of investigating, they went to Khanapurti. Bhagwan Sharan said that according to my complaint, illegal occupation of ponds has been found in the entire Gram Panchayat. The team left without giving any notice to liberate the village panchayat's haat market, where illegal collection of Rs 15 to 20 lakh is done every year.

In spite of having a contract in the past by the village head, currently the contract is not allowed. The investigation team has not done any investigation on this point, out of 16 points, only 6 points have been filled, what report the officials give in that, it will be known later. Lalu, the village head of Gadhiya Rangi Gram Panchayat, was also present during the investigation. Lalu has told the media that I have not committed any corruption. Even before this, an investigation has been conducted once in the Gram Panchayat. I am the village head rewarded by the District Officer in the block. I am being examined one after another out of malice.