Date:06/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/06/stories/2009010660950300.htm

New Delhi

‘DDA, police tipped off about anomalies in application forms’

Staff Reporter

Demonstration outside DDA Vikas Bhawan on January 8

NEW DELHI: Demanding a CBI probe into alleged irregularities in allotment of flats under the DDA Housing Scheme-2008, Indian Justice Party president Udit Raj on Monday said he had tipped-off Delhi Development Authority officials and the police about “anomalies” in the application forms much before the draw of lots was held last month.

“It was in August last year that I was told that some property dealers in nexus with bank agents and DDA officials were submitting applications for reserved categories in the DDA housing scheme using forged documents. We approached some 150 applicants to cross-check facts and a couple of them told us that they had never applied for the housing scheme. Some of them said they had lent their photo identity card and ration card to their acquaintances, but did not have the PAN card,” said Dr. Udit Raj addressing a press conference.

“When I raised the matter, my party members started receiving threats. We managed to catch one of the persons involved…..and even handed him over to the police on October 31. But he was later let off. I even apprised the Joint Commission of Police and DDA Housing Commissioner about the alleged irregularities in written on December 2. Instead of looking into my allegations, the DDA decided to go ahead with the draw,” added Dr. Udit Raj, adding that the DDA did not even provide him the names, addresses and other details of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe applicants for the DDA scheme under the Right to Information Act.

Alleging that several senior DDA officials were also involved, he said: “We have decided to hold a demonstration outside the DDA Vikas Sadan on January 8 to protest against large-scale irregularities in the allotment of flats. We also call upon all unsuccessful applicants to join us in the protest.”

The DDA had received 566,906 applications seeking allotment of flats under the Housing Scheme-2008. The draw for allotments was held in the presence of four judges and the media. Of the 5,238 flats, 28 per cent were reserved for the SCs, STs, war widows, ex-Servicemen and physically handicapped.