Jaipur: Swarup refutes charges of Rs 200 crore fraud in Om Metals Infotech land case

JAIPUR: Additional chief secretary, home, Rajeeva Swarup on Tuesday refuted the allegations made against him and nine others in a complaint registered with the city police on the directions of a local court.
Referring to the allegations of fraud of Rs 200 crore when he was RIICO chairman, Swarup said there was nothing wrong in the allotment and transfer of the land in question (plot SP 818), which was allotted to M/S Pratap Rajasthan Copper Foils and Laminates Ltd on February 10, 1981.
In a communication with TOI, Swarup said, “M/S Pratap Rajasthan Copper Foils and Laminates Ltd, part became sick and closed down. Part of the initially allotted (and remaining) plot, SP-818(III) was sold M/s Om Metals Infotech Pvt Ltd through registered sale deed dated 24-05-2006. The lease deed was transferred and executed in the name of the purchaser on 24-11-2006 in accordance with the provisions of the RIICO Land Disposal Rules, 1979. There is no dispute in regard to transfer of the plot.”
He said, “There is no loss (or even fraud) to the state exchequer of Rs 200 crore, as alleged. No tax or dues of the state government were either pending or waived off or not recovered… In fact, RIICO earned money from the sub division permission accorded.”
In the FIR, it was mentioned that the company had not started production but Swarup said, “This is completely wrong. The original allottee commenced production within the stipulated time, on October 1, 1983. There are several proofs which confirm the same.”
With regard to the loss of Rs 200 crore, he said, “The computation of the amount is highly questionable, as is the logic behind it. It is stated based on a premise that if RIICO confiscated the land and sold it, its present day value would be Rs 200 crores (questionable), which RIICO could have earned. How can any allottee’s land, which has been paid for, be arbitrarily “confiscated” without any provision for the same in law?”
He said that the complainant, with a view to pre-empt decision, had raised the same objections to RIICO when the application was submitted by M/s Om Metals Infotech Pvt Ltd seeking permission for sub division.
“The complaint was taken on record. The complainant was called to submit any information in addition but he sent his refusal to appear in person…After careful examination and scrutiny of the allegations made, on the basis of record/rules, each and every allegation was found baseless.”