Times of India: Chandigarh: Sunday, January 12, 2014.
Taking up the
complaint of an RTI activist, who apprehended threat to his life, the National
Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the Haryana DGP to file a reply and
status report in the issue. RTI activist Baljit Singh Nayak, who has unearthed
a number of land scams in Kaithal district, has alleged that he faced threats from
persons owing allegiance to two Haryana ministers, Randeep Singh Surjewala and
Geeta Bhukkal, and other influential persons of the area.
Baljit, in
his early 40s, had filed a PIL in the Punjab and Haryana high court last year
mentioning illegal occupation of public land by mafia in Kaithal district.
"Ever
since I raised the issue, both ministers and land mafia have been after my
life. My writ petition has resulted into action against many senior officers of
the urban local bodies department," Baljit told TOI.
He alleged
that Haryana education minister Geeta Bhukkal had not only occupied public land
but had also managed to get building plans finalized in Kalayat town of
Kaithal. "Similarly, Randeep Surjewala not only gave financial help, but
also unveiled a statue, which has come up on encroached land," Baljit
alleged.
Baljit said
that he did not withdraw his petition so he was assaulted and implicated in a
false case by the local police. "Though the concerned police official has
been shifted out, I still fear for my life. I want an independent probe into
the allegations, including those against me. Till then, I should be given
proper security," Baljit stated.
Meanwhile,
officials in the state police headquarters confirmed that orders from NHRC on
Baljit's complaint had been received.
Ministers
trash charges
Trashing the
allegations made by the RTI activist, Randeep Surjewala and Geeta Bhukkal
denied they knew Baljit. Both stated that such allegations had no grain of
truth. "I have never met this person so far. Hence all allegations are
false and malafide. Secondly, for the past four years, I have not even visited
Kalayat, though I own a house there," Bhukkal said.
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