Information on Priyanka Vadra's land deal wrongly withheld, says Commission

Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh State Information Commission on Monday rejected the contention that information regarding purchase of land by Priyanka Vadra near here cannot be given for security reasons and directed the concerned authorities to provide all information in this regard to an RTI activist within ten days.

The RTI activist Debasheesh Bhattacharya had sought information about the land purchased by Priyanka at Chharabra, 12-Km from here, but the information was refused by Public Information Office, which maintained that it cannot be divulged for security reasons as she was a SPG protectee. The Appellate Authority (the Deputy Commissioner) also rejected the appeal.

The RTI activist had filed appeal with the State information Commission division bench, comprising Chief Information Commissioner Bhim Sen and Information Commissioner K.D. Batish, which directed the Additional District Magistrate, Shimla, to give the information within ten days.

The Commission also issued notice to the Deputy Commissioner and the ADM that why penalty should not be imposed on them for delaying the information and fixed next hearing on July 23 next.

Priyanka Vadra is constructing a house near Chharabra and had purchased over 4.25 Bighas of land between 2007 and 2013 in relaxation of section 118 of Tenancy and Land Reforms Act that bars any non-agriculturist from purchasing land without the permission of the government.