UDD informs HC about Shinde cancelling order, hearing today

Nagpur: The state urban development department (UDD) on Wednesday submitted a statement to Nagpur bench of Bombay high court, informing it about the cancellation of the order passed by the then urban development (UD) minister Eknath Shinde. The order had directed Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) to lease 16 plots at mouza Harpur, which had been acquired for housing for poor, to 16 persons.
The cancellation of the order came a day after opposition leaders strongly demanded Shinde’s resignation as chief minister in assembly as well council on the second day of the winter session of state legislature. They alleged he allotted the NIT land valued at over Rs83 crore to private persons for only Rs2 crore, and also interfered in the judicial process.
In a series of reports, the TOI had reported Shinde passed the order despite a petition relating to the said plots being pending in the HC. Also, the Gilani Committee appointed by the HC in the said petition had conducted inquiry and gave recommendations for the 16 plots, which were pending in the HC. Amicus curiae Anand Parchure had told the HC that the order of the minister amounted to interference in judicial procedure and prayed for action. The HC had on December 14 imposed status quo on Shinde’s order till next hearing on January 4.
On Tuesday, in the assembly, Shinde justified his decision and said he had cancelled his order on December 16. However, leaders of opposition parties have prepared to seek the CM’s resignation.
On Wednesday, principal secretary of UDD Sonia Sethi said in the pursis in the HC, “Secretary UDD most humbly and respectfully submits that for the reason in the order dated December 16, the respondent state of Maharashtra has withdrawn its order dated April 20, 2021. Hence this pursis.”
The UDD officer has also submitted copy of latest order of Shinde with pursis. HC has scheduled a hearing in the case on Thursday.
Advocate Anil Kumar Mulchandani, former NIT counsel, told TOI, “The minister reversed his order on realizing his mistake and also implied unlawful gains. It was the responsibility of the minister to hear the applicants and NIT before reviewing earlier order. But the minister took decision suo motu. He also passed bucks on to applicants, saying they did not inform him about petition related to the said plots pending in HC. Also, the minister should have been given status quo ante order if he had to reverse his earlier order.”
Activist Kamlesh Shah, who obtained all documents related to the case under RTI Act, and also lodged a complaint in 2017 against the then NIT chairman’s order for regularization of plots, demanded Shinde’s resignation. “Shinde was UD minister when he passed the order. In my complaint, I wrote about petition of activist Anil Wadpalliwar pending in HC. On my complaint, Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) sought reply from UDD. Then, how come UDD says it did not have any idea,” he asked.
Shah added the Gilani Commitee exchanged several correspondences with NIT during investigation. “All top officials of NIT were aware about petition pending, recommendations of Gilani Commitee. In fact, NIT had rejected applications of 16 beneficiaries in 2010 citing the matter was sub judice. Shinde tried to save his skin by cancelling his order, which is not in larger interest of state,” he said.
Shinde’s latest order directs NIT to follow whatever orders are passed by HC in pending petition. “Gilani Commitee had termed regularization of unauthorized plots as wrong, citing motive behind acquisition was different. Committee had suggested to utilize land for housing of economic weaker section people. This was not brought to my notice by the applicants during hearing. Considering this, I have withdrawn order dated April 20, 2021,” he said.