SHIMLA/RAJGARH, JULY 6: What began as an investigation into the construction of a rural link road in Rajgarh has now widened into a suspected benami land deal
State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (SV&ACB) is probing whether government funds and forest land were allegedly misused to provide road access to a private property linked to a Chandigarh-based businessman and property dealer.
Officials say this is the first case of its kind being investigated by the State Vigilance Bureau.
The Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of the SV&ACB has arrested Jaswant Singh of Rajgarh in connection with the alleged irregularities in the construction of the Junio-Kulthidhar-Basoti-Dhudham link road in Sirmaur district.
Investigators, however, say the probe has now expanded beyond the road construction itself to examine suspected benami ownership, the money trail, financial transactions and the possible nexus between private individuals and public servants.
According to vigilance officials, preliminary investigation suggests the road was allegedly constructed primarily to provide access to the private property of Jaswant Singh.
The agency is also examining allegations that the construction extended beyond the approved forest alignment and encroached upon government forest and Shamlat land.
The investigation has raised serious questions over the role of the panchayat, forest authorities and other government departments in approving and executing a project that allegedly benefited a private property.
Investigators are scrutinising official records to determine whether rules were bypassed or abused during the planning and execution of the road.
Officials revealed that the Forest Department had granted permission for the felling of 39 chir trees, for which Jaswant Singh reportedly deposited around ₹8 lakh as compounding charges.
However, the Vigilance Bureau is now examining how the same amount allegedly reached Jaswant Singh's account from Chandigarh-based businessman and property dealer Yash Agarwal.
Investigators suspect this financial transaction could be linked to a benami arrangement, although they stressed that the investigation is still at a preliminary stage and no final conclusions have been drawn.
The SIU has also launched a detailed examination of the source of funds, banking transactions, electronic evidence and documents connected with the project.
The role of officials who approved the road, released funds or processed permissions is also under the scanner.
Jaswant Singh was produced before the Judicial Magistrate First Class at Rajgarh after his arrest, and the court granted two days' police remand for custodial interrogation.
Following completion of the remand, he was granted bail on July 4, subject to conditions imposed by the court.
Meanwhile, Yash Agarwal and Manish Agarwal are presently on interim bail till July 14.
They, along with other suspected persons, have been directed to join the investigation before the Vigilance Headquarters in Shimla whenever required.
Their statements are being recorded while documentary, financial and electronic evidence is being analysed.
A spokesperson of the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau said the investigation is being conducted in a fair, impartial and evidence-based manner.
The Bureau maintained that every aspect of the alleged misuse of government funds, illegal encroachment on forest land, financial transactions, money trail and the role of both public servants and private individuals is being comprehensively investigated.
The spokesperson said no individual would be spared if credible evidence establishes involvement, adding that further arrests and legal action would depend entirely on the evidence collected during the course of the investigation.
