HP vigilance dept lodges case against former BJP minister

Himachal Pradesh Vigilance and Anti- Corruption Bureau today registered a case against former BJP minister Krishan Kapoor in connection with allotment of a residential plot in his wife's name from his 'discretionary quota' as chairman of the Himachal Urban Development Authority (HIMUDA).
Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau DIG AP Singh said that a case had been registered under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act and relevant sections of IPC.
Though Kapoor returned the plot acquired in his wife's name after the matter was reported in the media, vigilance officials said the process of allotment had been completed and the offence attracted various sections of IPC.

The inquiry into the matter was ordered following directions by a High Court division bench comprising Chief Justice AM Khanwilkar and Justice VK Sharma on a PIL filed by Arun Dev Bisht, a resident of Dharamsala.
The division bench asked the state government to conduct an inquiry into the allegations of misuse of power by Kapoor while he was chairman of the Himachal Pradesh Housing and Urban Development Authority.
"All aspects of the matter should be inquired into by the vigilance department by an officer not below the rank of SP," the court observed while passing the orders.
The petitioner alleged that Kapoor had misused his discretionary powers as the HIMUDA chairman.

The petitioner said Kapoor also allotted a residential plot to a Dharamsala-based journalist after violating regulations.