Shimla: CPM has upped its ante against the Sukhu Government, accusing it of shielding top bureaucrats and political figures in the alleged Multicrore Chester Hill land scam in Solan, even as Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is yet to take a decisive call.
Addressing a press conference at Combermere Hotel in Shimla, CPM leaders demanded the immediate removal of the Chief Secretary, alleging his direct involvement not only in the Chester Hill land deal involving 275 bighas of prime land but also in a separate land scam in Mohali, Punjab.
The party questioned the government’s inaction despite what it termed as “clear evidence of corruption,” saying it raises serious doubts about the administration’s intent.
CPM State Secretary Sanjay Chauhan, along with Dr. Kuldeep Singh Tanwar and Vijendra Mehra, accused the government of downplaying a “massive scam” by terming it an internal tussle among officials.
They alleged that the Chief Secretary, who had earlier faced corruption charges during his tenure as Revenue Secretary, had seen a disproportionate rise in assets in recent years, with properties in Himachal Pradesh and Punjab allegedly acquired at throwaway prices.
The party further alleged that inquiries conducted by Solan Municipal Corporation officials and revenue authorities were sidelined, and a “clean chit” was issued at the highest bureaucratic level, indicating a deeper nexus.
CPM leaders claimed that this amounted to a violation of the Himachal Pradesh Municipal Corporation Act, 1994, and the Land Revenue Act, 1972, besides undermining the safeguards under Section 118 meant to protect local land rights.
Raising concerns over what it described as an entrenched land mafia operating in the state, the CPM alleged a nexus between bureaucrats, contractors, real estate players, and politicians.
It claimed that benami transactions were rampant and that poor farmers were being forced to sell land at distress prices.
Both the previous BJP government and the current Congress regime were accused of systematically weakening Section 118 to facilitate large-scale land deals and commissions.
Demanding a judicial probe into the Chester Hill scam, the party warned that a thorough investigation would expose “many big fish.”
It also issued a strong warning of statewide agitation if the government fails to act, including plans to gherao the state secretariat at Chhota Shimla.
“The silence of the government is sending a message that this land mafia operates with official patronage,” CPM leaders said, adding that the party would mobilize public support and take to the streets if accountability is not fixed and those responsible are not brought to justice.
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