Nainital High Court reinstated the tenure of Haridwar district panchayat chairperson Savita Choudhary on Monday. However, the court has not reinstated her financial power. The petition on seizure of her financial power was heard in the single bench of Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia and court reinstated her tenure. Moreover, the court has directed the state government to give her appropriate opportunity.
It should be mentioned here that the Haridwar district panchayat chairperson Savita Choudhary was suspended last year after government took cognizance of the report alleging her involvement in irregularities pertaining to distribution of shops in Jwalapur and Bhagwanpur. In an investigation conducted by the Haridwar district magistrate Deepak Rawat, Chaudhary was found allegedly involved in a financial scam of Rs 8 crore in distribution to 27 shops at Jwalapur and 18 shops at Bhagwanpur. These shops are constructed and auctioned by the district panchayat. The shops which were allocated at minimised premium rate were later sold in open market for Rs 20-25 lakh, through a broker, who was given free hand by zila panchayat chairperson for the commercial deals, claims the report. Chaudhary, however, earlier said, “I had taken charge of office on May 18, 2016 while allocation of the shops was done on May 16 and 17. So, I have no role or power to affect the allocation process despite being elected as chairperson then, but assumed office a day after. This is done to taint my position and malign my image for political advantage.” Choudhary had complained of not being given time to submit her clearance on the blames.