Justice Dhingra Commission used for malicious 'witch hunt': Congress

The Congress on Friday accused the ruling BJP of using Justice S.N. Dhingra Commission of inquiry as "a political tool for malicious witch hunt".

The one-man commission was set up by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Haryana in May last year to probe controversial land deals in the state, including that of Robert Vadra who is son-in-law of Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

"RTI record and subsequent events establish a political agenda of vendetta and revenge unleashed by RSS and top BJP leadership with the sole aim of keeping the issue alive for muckraking and mudslinging," said Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala.

"Constitution of the Commission, subsequent amendments in its scope, proceedings of the Commission and conduct of the judge heading the Commission unequivocally point towards a predetermined animosity and a 'fixed match' with utter disregard for truth or facts," he added.

The Congress also attacked Justice Dhingra for seeking the third extension to submit his report.

"Suddenly he changed his mind at the last minute and sought 4-6 weeks time for examination of further documents. This is despite the fact that he had already sought two extensions and had access to all the files and documents," said Surjewala.

"It clearly points towards a further game of vilification and malice being played by BJP government and its top leadership with Justice Dhingra becoming a willing political tool in the process," he added.

The Congress also questioned Haryana government's justification to form the Committee and said that it emanated out of mala fide intention.

"Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar unilaterally ordered constitution of Dhingra Commission on May 13, 2015 without there being any material available with him on the record and without taking approval of council of ministers or legislature of the state," said Surjewala.

"Even selection of Justice Dhingra was completely arbitrary as no other judge was considered and Khattar autocratically hand-picked his name for selection," he added.

The Congress further questioned the Haryana government for asking the Commission to probe only 16 licences out of 1,558 in Gurgaon, saying it spoke "volumes about the predetermined motive and malice involved".

--IANS

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