Chandigarh January 30 – The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) apprehended Horticultural Development Officer (HDO) Jaspreet Singh Sidhu on Tuesday. Authorities implicated Sidhu, stationed at Kharar and Dera Bassi in SAS Nagar district, in the multi-crore Guava orchids compensation scam in SAS Nagar.
Legal Battle and Arrest
JS Sidhu initially obtained interim bail from the High Court on 01.09.2023. However, the VB vehemently opposed his anticipatory bail petition and eventually filed 3 affidavits/counter affidavits as replies during lengthy and detailed arguments to request his custodial interrogation.
Subsequently, the High Court dismissed Sidhu’s anticipatory bail petition on 24.01.2023. He remained a fugitive until his arrest on Tuesday from SAS Nagar.
Involvement in Scam
Sidhu had served as HDO, Kharar, for the past 15 years, from 2004 to 2019, and was involved in evaluating the market value of fruit-bearing trees present on lands acquired by GMADA, including acquisitions like Aerocity, IT City, Sector 88-89, etc. After uncovering a massive scam involving the embezzlement of about Rs 137 crores, representing 10 percent of the total compensation for Guava orchards on land acquired for the development of Aerotropolis city by GMADA, the VB registered case FIR no. 16 in 2023.
Exploitation of Provisions
Investigation revealed that certain beneficiaries/landowners, in connivance with officials of GMADA, Revenue Department, Land Acquisition Collector (LAC), and Horticulture Department, exploited provisions of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement Act, 2013, causing a substantial loss to the state exchequer.
Challenges and Legal Proceedings
The VB has arrested a total of 21 accused persons, including beneficiaries and public servants, and has challenged bail orders in the Supreme Court. The High Court ordered various accused beneficiaries to deposit a total of Rs 72.36 crores, of which Rs 43.72 crores have been deposited to date.
