Rohtak Divisional Commissioner Sanjeev Verma, who has been at loggerheads with another IAS Ashok Khemka, has registered a complaint against Khemka for allegedly criticising state government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on X (formerly Twitter) during the model code of conduct.
Sanjeev Verma, a 2004 batch IAS promoted from state service, questioned Khemka's intentions on pointing Prime Minister Modi and state government for slow progress in investigation against Robert Vadra in the DLF deal.
Khemka, on April 6, 2024, raised questions on the slow progress in the probe alleged into alleged irregularities in land deals in Haryana.
“Why is the probe into the Vadra-DLF deal slow? It has been10 years. How much more wait? The Dhingra Commission report is also in cold storage. Sinners are having fun.
“Why is the intent of administration weak? The promise made by the prime minister to the country in 2014 should be remembered,” Khemka, posted this on X.
Sanjeev Verma in his complaint further said that Khemka's tweet, raised concerns about the slow progress of the investigation and the Prime Minister's commitment to the issue. Verma has emphasized the timing of the tweet amid the ongoing Lok Sabha elections in Haryana, stating that it could incite controversy and violate the model code of conduct.
Ashok Khemka, a 1991-batch IAS, who is currently serving as additional chief secretary printing and stationery, in 2012 had cancelled the mutation of the 3.5-acre land deal between Skylight Hospitality — a company linked to Congress leader Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra — and the realty major DLF in Gurugram's Manesar-Shikohpur.
What is the row between Sanjeev Verma and Khemka
The row between the two started in April 2022 when Verma then managing director (MD) of Haryana State Warehousing Corporation (HSWC) recommended registration of a criminal case for alleged irregularities in HSWC appointments made during Khemka's tenure as its MD more than a decade ago.
Verma had sent a formal complaint to Sector 5 police station in Panchkula for registration of a criminal case against Khemka and three HSWC officials over the recruitment of two manager Grade-I officials, Pradip Kumar and Surinder Singh, in 2010 when Khemka was the managing director. Before the case was referred to the police, Verma had dismissed Kumar and Singh on 20 April.
Khemka, an ACS level officer, then got a counter FIR registered against Verma. In his complaint, Khemka accused Verma and Ravinder of hatching a conspiracy against him. Verma misused his position as the HSWC MD in conspiracy with Ravinder to file a false complaint “in an act of revenge and with a corrupt motive”, the complaint read.
However, both the FIRs are in state of dormancy due to the non-fulfilment of statutory requirement by the police of taking prior approval under section 17-A of the PC Act before the registration of an FIR.
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