Hooda urges Governor to revoke Dhingra Commission

A day before the deadline for Dhingra Commission to submit its report, former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda today sought revocation of the constitution of the commission which is inquiring into grant of land licences to some companies including that of Robert Vadra's in Gurgaon.
Hooda wrote a letter to Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki urging him "to look into the matter to uphold the Constitutional values and to advise the present government not to abuse the provisions of law to harass the members of the opposition party (Congress) and further, to revoke the constitution of the commission of inquiry".

On June 17, the BJP government in Haryana had extended the term of the Justice SN Dhingra Commission till June 30.
Hooda said BJP had made land deals signed during his tenure as Chief Minister a major issue during the 2014 Lok Sabha and Assembly polls in Haryana.
"With deep pain and anguish, I, the then CM (2005-2014), draw your kind attention to abuse of power by the present BJP government in Haryana for achieving a mala fide purpose," he wrote to the Governor.
"It has unjustly invoked the provisions of the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952 to set up the Justice SN Dhingra Commission of Inquiry (on May 14, 2015)," he added.

Hooda said the commission was constituted "contrary to established rules and norms, without due cabinet approval and it was prompted by malice and political considerations".

He also mentioned statements of BJP leaders in the media in the run-up to the polls that action would be taken against "family members of the leaders of the Congress party".
He also drew the Governor's attention towards his allegation that the constitution of the commission did not have prior cabinet approval and the terms of reference of the inquiry were also "changed midway and that too, at the suggestion of the commission itself".
Hooda also mentioned that "present Chief Minister (Manohar Lal Khattar) of BJP government unilaterally thought it fit to set up the commission. It is obvious that this government has changed and liberalised the policy parameters for allowing change in beneficial interest viz. Change in developer, assignment of joint development rights and/or marketing rights etc. In a licence granted under the Haryana Development and Regulation of Urban Areas Act, 1975".

The commission was to probe transfer or disposal of land, allegations of private enrichment, ineligibility of beneficiaries under the rules and other connected matters, bringing Vadra's company's land deal under the scanner.