The Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up by the Andhra Pradesh government to inquire into the alleged land scams in Visakhapatnam district is facing an uphill task gathering the details pertaining to the NOC (no objection certificate) cases. The original DR files or ‘Darkhast Registers’ have gone missing in most of the cases from the department concerned.
The SIT has identified about 69 cases of which inquiry has been completed in 11. Nine are in the advanced stage. Of the 20 cases so far, the DR files were found missing from the department in 15. The SIT has come to some understanding based on physical verification and supporting documents. But it faces a challenge gathering the details in the remaining 49 cases.
The SIT has come across cases in which documents have been fabricated, showing the land assigned to an ex-serviceman or freedom fighter to obtain the NOC for sale from the Revenue Department and selling the land to potential land grabbers.
“An ex-serviceman or freedom fighter may be genuine. But they may not be alive and presumably no land was allotted to them originally. But the land grabbers have created such documents and obtained NOCs to sell the land, which actually belongs to the government. The NOC or the DR, wherein the beneficiary files a request for a no objection certificate has gone missing in some of the cases,” said Vineet Brijlal, Deputy Inspector General of police, Greyhounds, and Chief of the SIT. So far, the SIT has taken up 69 cases in which NOCs have been issued between 2002 and 2014.
The SIT has sought another extension of two months and is awaiting the government’s response. The original GO was issued on June 20 and the SIT started to operate from June 28. On August 28, a further extension of two months — till October 31— was given by the government.
The SIT received about 3,000 complaints and 334 cases, apart from the 69 NOC cases, were short-listed for inquiry. Of the 334, inquiry in 296 has been completed and 19 are in the final stage. Of the 296 cases, the SIT has given a ‘no action required’ report in 181. Objectionable report has been given in the rest of the cases.
According to Mr. Brijlal, about 1,100 acres in the district have been identified as government land grabbed by land sharks or encroached upon, and a report has been submitted with evidence. “It is now up to the department concerned to take appropriate action to regain the land,” he said.
Apart from the 1,100 acres, another 356 acres in Madhurwada, Pardesipalem and PM Palem areas will be taken over by the government.
An individual, G.L. Ganeswara Rao, allegedly tampered with the records to alienate 356 acres of government land and he has been arrested by the police, based on the SIT’s findings.
According to Mr. Brijlal, criminal action has been suggested against 32 private individuals and 30 government officials. This apart, departmental action has been recommended in 101 cases.
