Punjab Vigilance Bureau arrests horticulture development officer
The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) has apprehended Jaspreet Singh Sidhu, a Horticulture Development Officer (HDO) who was stationed at Kharar and Dera Bassi, in connection with the alleged multi-crore guava orchards compensation scam. Sidhu, accused of embezzling approximately Rs 137 crore designated as compensation for guava orchards on land acquired by GMADA for the development of Aerotropolis city, was taken into custody today.
The VB initiated the case last year upon uncovering the massive scam involving the misappropriation of funds released under the guise of compensation. Initially granted interim bail by the High Court on September 1, 20XX, Sidhu faced opposition from the VB regarding his anticipatory bail petition. Detailed arguments ensued, and the VB presented call detail records indicating Sidhu’s association with other accused beneficiaries, statements from various witnesses, tampered and forged documents, and disparities between reports submitted to GMADA and the state Horticulture Department.
Additionally, discrepancies were noted in the category and age of plants mentioned in different copies of the same report. The High Court dismissed Sidhu’s anticipatory bail petition on January 24, after which he went on the run, prompting the VB to launch efforts to locate him.
Sidhu, who served as the HDO in Kharar from 2004 to 2019, played a key role in assessing the market value of fruit-bearing trees on GMADA-acquired lands for projects such as Aerocity and IT City. The VB has arrested a total of 21 individuals in connection with the case, including public servants and beneficiaries like JS Johal, LAC, Vaishali, HDO, and Bachitar Singh, Patwari. Some beneficiaries secured anticipatory bail by offering to deposit 100% of the compensation amount.
The VB has approached the Supreme Court of India to challenge High Court bail orders, and notices have been issued to the accused respondents. The High Court had previously directed various accused beneficiaries to deposit a total of Rs 72.36 crore, with Rs 43.72 crore already deposited.
