Robert Vadra: IAS officer probing deal transferred, cancels land mutation

New Delhi: A senior IAS officer in Haryana government's Land Registration Department was transferred for reportedly probing undervalued land deals between Congress President Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra and real estate giant DLF. However, before leaving office, IAS officer Ashok Khemka on Monday, cancelled the mutation of a 3.531 acre plot of land in Manesar-Shikohpur that Vadra sold to DLF for Rs 58 crore in 2009.

Khemka was transferred as the DG Haryana Seed Development Corporation on October 11, just three days after he ordered a probe into undervalued land deals between Vadra and DLF on October 8. Before leaving office, Khemka cancelled the mutation of the Rs 58 crore worth plot of land citing irregularities in the transfer of land from Vadra's Sky Light Hospitality Private Limited to the real estate giant. CNN-IBN has accessed the document ordering the cancellation of the mutation. The land deal in Manesar-Shikohpur reportedly had signatures by an unauthorised Haryana official, the document said.

This land deal was, in fact, the first in a series of major land deals between Vadra and DLF and social activist-turned-politician Arvind Kejriwal had referred to it, alleging irregularities. Vadra, who reportedly bought the plot of land for Rs 7.5 crore sold it within three months to DLF for Rs 58 crore. Vadra then reportedly used that money to buy premium DLF apartments.

IAS officer Ashok Khemka was transferred on Oct 11. He cancelled the land mutation in the Vadra-DLF deal on Oct 15 before leaving office.

Reacting to the news, Kejriwal tweeted, saying the state government ought to explain the turn of events. "Ashok Khemka transferred by Haryana government because he was probing Vadra's land deals in Haryana. We strongly criticise that," Kejriwal said. "Haryana CM ought to answer to the country - why has Ashok Khemka been transferred? What is transfer policy for IAS officers in Haryana? Under dat policy, can officer be transferred merely becoz he was investigating Vadra?" Kejriwal added.

What is mutation?

Mutation is a record of the transfer of title of property between two entities. It is saved in the government's revenue records. Mutation does not mean a legal title to the person to whom the property has been mutated.

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