NEW DELHI: Nearly 15 months after Central Bureau of Investigation sought a copy of Delhi Development Authority’s internal vigilance inquiry in connection with lapses in construction of 336 multi-storeyed HIG/MIG houses at Signature View Apartment, Delhi High Court has asked for a status report.
The court asked the land-owning agency for an update after examining a letter sent to it by CBI in March last year, asking for certain details and a copy of a vigilance inquiry ordered by the lieutenant governor earlier.
“A perusal of the letter shows that one year and four months have passed after this letter was issued by CBI to DDA. DDA is directed to apprise this court of the further action that has been taken by it. It is directed to file a status report showing the progress that has been done after the receipt of the letter dated 28.03.2023,” Justice Subramonium Prasad directed in a recent order.
The high court acted on a plea by an affected resident, seeking directions to set up an independent Special Investigation Team (SIT) and/or order a CBI/judicial probe into “the acts and omissions of the erring officials of DDA and its contractors/related parties for committing serious lapses/corruption/misconduct in the construction of Signature View Apartments.”
The plea further urged the court to direct the authorities to inform the stakeholders/homebuyers on the status of the inquiry/investigation, if any, undertaken by them to date with regard to the poor quality of construction of the apartment. The petitioner also sought a stay on the proposed demolition of “case property” i.e., flats of Signature View Apartments till the guilty officials/contractors/builders are punished as per law.
When the court sought DDA’s stand, it was informed that in Jan last year, the LG ordered immediate initiation of criminal proceedings against the contractors/builders/construction agencies involved in the project.
The LG had also directed a vigilance enquiry to identify all officers/officials responsible for lapses/misconduct in the construction of said buildings within 15 days and the initiation of subsequent criminal action against the defaulting officials.
In an official release, the LG office had said that identified structural flaws in the construction, that would put thousands in danger, were being disowned by DDA in a callous manner.
However, when CBI stepped in, it found that the vigilance report was not annexed to the complaint it had received in the case. Accordingly, it wrote to DDA in March 2023 asking for its copy.
