Congress snubs Dhingra Commission, asks BJP to stop 'political witch-hunt'

Adamant on the removal of Justice (Retd.) S.N. Dhingra, who has been given an extension of eight weeks to probe the alleged murky land deals to developers in about a dozen sectors in Gurgaon, the Congress Party on Friday alleged that it was a political witch-hunt on part of the BJP-led Haryana Government to assassinate Robert Vadra's character.

Addressing a press conference, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala accused this is an attempt to politically exploit a person and to assassinate his character.

"This move by the government to provide extension to the Dhingra Commission only proves that this is a political witch-hunt to assassinate the character (of Robert Vadra)," Surjewala told the media.

"Justice Dhingra, who has virtually taken benefit from the BJP Government and took plot for his own purpose from an individual, is not capable and apt to carry out the investigation in this case. Therefore, he should resign or he should be removed," he added.

Retorting to allegations levelled against him by the Congress, Justice (Retd.) Dhingra had earlier in the day justified his stand and said that he wanted to go through the new documents to check if it included anything worthwhile which could be added in the final report.

"I received some documents and I felt like going through them before submitting the final report. To see if I could include any of its aspects in the final reports, this is why I sought more time," said Justice (Retd.) Dhingra.

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar earlier justified the move to extend the tenure of the S.N. Dhingra Commission of Enquiry, saying this will provide an opportunity to look into all aspects thoroughly.

"Justice Dhingra would know the reason, he asked me for some more time, and following my duties, I gave him time. I gave him time so that he could properly look into all aspects, because it would create problem if any new issue comes up in the end," said Khattar.

The Haryana Government has already extended the term of the Dhingra Commission of Inquiry twice.

The controversy around Vadra is based on a 3.5-acre plot in Gurugram, which he bought in 2008 for Rs. 7.5 crores and sold just months later for 58 crores to DLF, India's largest real estate developer.