JOIN USThe Haryana government on Saturday ordered a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against whistleblower IAS officer Ashok Khemka for his role in allotment of work to a Gujarat firm for roofing sheets for warehouses in the state.
The CBI probe was approved by Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda after the state agriculture department indicted Khemka after an inquiry.
It is alleged that Khemka did not follow rules in the selection and allotment of work that cost the state about Rs 8 crore.
The issue dates back to 1999 when Khemka was managing director of the Haryana State Warehousing Corporation. Government sources accuse Khemka of favouring the Gujarat-based firm in the allotment of the contract.
The timing of the probe is being questioned. Last month, the state government had issued a charge sheet against Khemka for cancelling the controversial land deal between Sonia Gandhi’s son-in-law Robert Vadra and realty major DLF.
Ever since the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) stepped up its campaign in Haryana, there have been talks of Khemka joining the outfit. In fact, the AAP at one point even said Khemka would be their candidate for the post of the chief minister.
The 1991-batch IAS officer, who has been transferred 45 times in his 23 years of service, has so far not commented on his political options and ambitions.
The Haryana Government, said sources, is also preparing a second charge sheet against Khemka in a case pertaining to the sale of seeds during his tenure from October 2012 to April 2013.
Khemka is yet to reply to the charge sheet served on him for cancelling the land deal involving Vadra.
He had strongly objected to the manner in which the charge sheet was delivered in his absence at his residence while he was away in New Delhi.
Khemka has been accusing the government of acting against him in a vindictive manner.