Dehradun: For the first time in Uttarakhand’s history, the ruling government has taken strict and direct action against officials and employees within its own administrative system. The steps taken in the Haridwar land scam are being seen not only as a tough stance against corruption but also as a decisive shift in the state’s administrative culture.
The case involves the Haridwar Municipal Corporation purchasing unsuitable and agricultural land located near a garbage dump for ₹54 crore. Preliminary investigation revealed that the land was neither genuinely needed nor was a transparent tender process followed. Key government directives were overlooked while making decisions in the entire transaction, raising questions about the legality of the deal.
Based on the report of a probe committee formed by the Chief Minister, the state government has taken direct action against three senior officials:
* Karmendra Singh, District Magistrate, Haridwar – found to have a suspicious role in granting permission and administrative approval for the land purchase.
* Varun Chaudhary, former Municipal Commissioner – involved in passing the land proposal without due process and implicated in financial irregularities.
* Ajayveer Singh, SDM – sent a misleading report to the government due to negligence in inspection and verification of the land.
All three officials have been removed with immediate effect, and departmental and punitive action has been initiated against them.
The government has not spared other officials found involved in the matter. Those suspended with immediate effect include:
* Nikita Bisht, Senior Finance Officer, Municipal Corporation
* Vikki, Senior Personal Assistant
* Rajesh Kumar, Registrar Kanungo
* Kamaldas, Chief Administrative Officer, Tehsil Haridwar
Earlier, during the preliminary investigation, several officials were already suspended, including:
* Ravindra Kumar Dayal, In-charge Assistant Municipal Commissioner
* Anand Singh Mishrawan, In-charge Executive Engineer
* Lakshmikant Bhatt, Tax and Revenue Superintendent
* Dinesh Chandra Kandpal, Junior Engineer
Additionally, Vedwal, the property clerk, has had his service extension terminated, and disciplinary action has been ordered under Section 351(A) of the Uttarakhand Civil Services Regulation.
The entire case has now been handed over to the Vigilance Department. The Dhami government has made it clear that in Uttarakhand, it is not ‘position’ but ‘duty’ and ‘accountability’ that matter. No matter how senior a person is, if they violate public interest and rules, action will be certain.
This historic decision has sent a strong message to the people of Uttarakhand that there is no place for corruption. The government’s priority is not just to announce schemes, but to cleanse the system. Such strict action also serves as a warning to other officials that the era of negligence and collusion is over.
