Robert Vadra-DLF deal: Haryana government serves chargesheet on Ashok Khemka

CHANDIGARH: Tightening the noose around whistleblower IAS officer Ashok Khemka, the Haryana government has charge sheeted him in connection with cancellation of the mutation of a land deal between Robert Vadra and real estate major DLF in Gurgaon in October last year.

The charge sheet was delivered to Khemka in his absence at his residence yesterday and the IAS officer has been given a fortnight to reply, official sources said.

When contacted, Khemka, who is at present the Managing Director of the Haryana Seed Development Corporation (HSDC), told PTI over phone that he had gone to Delhi yesterday and would respond to the charges soon.

The sources said that the seven-page charge sheet mainly dealt with the issue of alleged administrative misconduct and damage caused to the reputation of Vadra and realty giant DLF.

It also touched upon issues relating to Khemka going to the media after cancellation of the mutation, criticising the state government's policy and not immediately giving up charge of his post despite having been transferred, they said.

The 1991-batch IAS officer had cancelled the mutation on October 15, 2012, which the state government has alleged was an administratively improper step since he stood transferred as Managing Director of HSDC. He has also been accused of selectively singling out a particular mutation.

The Haryana government is also preparing a second charge sheet against him for alleged low sale of wheat seeds during his tenure in HSDC as its Managing Director from October 15, 2012 to April 4, this year, they said.

When asked to comment on the charge sheet on Vadra-DLF issue, a senior Haryana government official said these are administrative matters, while maintaining that the state authorities did not believe in targeting or acting out of vindictiveness against any of its officials.

In October this year, the Haryana government had decided to charge sheet Khemka, who claims to have been transferred more than 40 times during his career so far, for alleged administrative misconduct in cancelling the mutation of the land deal.

The officer has been held liable for alleged administrative misconduct for overstepping jurisdiction in passing orders to cancel the mutation of 3.5 acre land in Gurgaon's Shikohpur village. The land was sold by Vadra to DLF.