Lalit Modi's role in buying heritage havelis under scrutiny

JAIPUR: IPL commissioner Lalit Modi's role in connection with the purchase of heritage havelis in the protected Amer Palace zone in Jaipur has come under the scanner.

The Rajasthan government is mulling action against both Modi and his wife Minal, who as directors of a company, were allegedly involved in the purchase of the heritage buildings, official sources said on Wednesday.

An inquiry by the Jaipur Divisional Commissioner into the issue has confirmed that the protected havelis were purchased as private properties four years back.

Amer Heritage City Construction Pvt Ltd, which later changed its name to Ananda Heritage Hotels, with Lalit Modi and his wife as directors, had purchased four government havelis.

Bina Kak, State Tourism minister, said that she had received the inquiry report but could comment only after going through it.

Ram Narayan Meena of Congress had raised the issue in the Assembly during last budget session, following which a probe was ordered.

The havelis were given heritage status under a 1974 gazette notification. The Congress is demanding action against the registrar for registering the sale of these havelis without verifying ownership.