The Anti-Corruption Bureau today interrogated former Urban Development and Housing Minister Shanti Dhariwal for over two hours in connection with irregularities in a land deal.
Dhariwal was quizzed for over two hours in relation to the 'Ekal Pattaa' (single deed) case, in which land deed of about 14 beegha was granted to Ganapati Construction Company by flouting rules when he was the UDH minister, but nothing can be disclosed to media because the probe is underway at various levels, an ACB official told PTI.
Dhariwal is being interrogated by a team of ACB officials led by Investigating Officer Bajrang Singh Shekhawat, the official said.
After coming out of the ACB building, Dhariwal told mediapersons, "The bureau asked me questions related to the matter in a cordial manner which I replied as per the policy of the previous Congress government."
"I told ACB that we followed the legal stand of the previous government. I also told them that I had cancelled the Ekal Patta and even referred the matter to police to file an FIR against the conspirators of that land deed," the former minister in the Ashok Gehlot government said.
When asked if he will be called again, he said, "I have not been given any date...The ACB may call me after Diwali if required."
Dhariwal said he has signed no papers nor did the ACB put forward any paper for signature. "However, I did submit a written reply to the ACB which is confidential," he added.
In the morning before leaving for the ACB office in Jhalana Institutional area, Dhariwal was given a warm reception by Congress party workers and leaders who garlanded him outside PCC office here.
"The ACB had summoned Dhariwal on October 19 but after his personal request the interrogation date was shifted to October 26," the official said.
Former senior IAS officer and the then Principal Secretary G S Sandhu and RAS officer Onkar Mal Saini are evading arrest after being summoned by ACB, the officer said.
So far ACB has arrested Nishkam Diwakar, the then Secretary of UDH and now CEO of Banswara Zila Parishad as well as Shailendra Garg, owner of the construction company in the case.
