In a major anti-corruption move, the Uttarakhand government has recommended the dismissal of IAS officer Varun Chaudhary for his alleged involvement in the ₹54-crore Haridwar land scam, following a detailed vigilance investigation into irregularities in a controversial land purchase by the Haridwar Municipal Corporation.
The action comes as part of disciplinary and criminal proceedings approved against 10 officials and individuals linked to the case, signaling the Pushkar Singh Dhami government’s hardline stance on corruption.
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Vigilance Probe Uncovers Major Irregularities
The case pertains to the 2024 purchase of 33 bighas of land by the Haridwar Municipal Corporation during the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct for municipal elections.
According to the vigilance report, the land—located adjacent to the municipal waste dumping site in Haridwar—was acquired at a price far above its market value, raising serious concerns over valuation and procedural compliance.
Investigators also found that the land was allegedly converted into non-agricultural land under Section 143 shortly before the purchase, a move now under scrutiny.
IAS Officer Faces Dismissal, Former DM Faces Major Penalty
Based on the findings, the state government has recommended the dismissal of IAS officer Varun Chaudhary, while proposing major disciplinary action against former Haridwar District Magistrate Karmendra Singh.
The proposal seeking action against both officers has been forwarded to the Union Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) for final approval, as required under service rules.
Meanwhile, Provincial Civil Services (PCS) officer Ajay Veer is facing the penalty of withholding three annual increments.
Criminal Cases to Be Registered Against 10 Accused
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has approved criminal prosecution against all 10 accused named in the vigilance investigation.
The accused include government officials as well as private individuals connected to the land transaction.
Among those likely to face FIRs are:
- Ravindra Kumar Dayal, then Assistant Municipal Commissioner
- Lakshmikant Bhatt, Tax Superintendent
- Anand Singh Mishra, Assistant Engineer
- Vedpal, Clerk
- Dinesh Kandpal, Surveyor
- Suman Devi
- Jitendra Kumar
- Abhishek Yadav
- Sujeet Kumar Singh
Authorities said the vigilance report prima facie establishes criminal conspiracy, fraud and serious procedural violations.
CM Dhami Reiterates Zero-Tolerance on Corruption
Reviewing the case, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reaffirmed his government’s zero-tolerance policy on corruption.
He stated that criminal cases would now be formally registered based on the vigilance findings and assured strict action against those found guilty.
The move is being seen as one of the strongest actions initiated by the Uttarakhand government in recent times against serving and former bureaucrats in a corruption-linked case.
Case Highlights Governance and Land Valuation Concerns
The alleged overvaluation of land located next to a garbage dumping site has triggered wider questions about governance, due diligence and financial accountability in urban local body transactions.
The case is expected to remain under close watch as criminal proceedings begin and disciplinary approvals move forward at the Centre.
If approved, the dismissal of an IAS officer in connection with the case would mark one of the most significant bureaucratic accountability actions in Uttarakhand in recent years.
Also read: Haridwar Land Scam Explained: Why Uttarakhand Govt Has Not Reinstated Suspended IAS Officers Yet
