Munish Sood
Solan
In a dramatic twist to the already controversial Chester Hills case, the very officer who exposed the alleged multi-crore land scam is now under fire herself. Solan SDM Poonam Bansal is facing allegations of involvement in a suspected benami land deal, triggering calls for a vigilance probe and disciplinary action.
The development comes after Acting DGP Ashok Tiwari formally wrote to the Solan Deputy Commissioner, recommending an inquiry based on documentary evidence, bank transaction trails, and field verification reports. The issue has raised eyebrows across administrative circles, especially given Bansal’s earlier role in bringing the Chester Hills irregularities to light.
₹40.50 Lakh Transaction Raises Red Flags
At the center of the allegations is a financial transaction of approximately ₹40.50 lakh. According to preliminary findings, the amount was allegedly transferred by Bansal’s husband to a third-party bank account just before a key land deal was executed. The same parcel of land was subsequently registered in the name of another individual.
Investigators believe this pattern could point to a classic benami arrangement, where the real beneficiary remains concealed behind proxy ownership.
Layered Transactions and Concealment Suspected
The report further points to possible “layering” of funds, with money allegedly routed through multiple accounts and intermediaries within a short period. Such transactions are often seen as attempts to mask the financial trail and obscure the origin and ownership of funds.
Conflict of Interest Angle Emerges
A critical concern flagged in the probe is the timing of the transactions. The land deals under scrutiny reportedly took place when related revenue issues were pending within the same administrative jurisdiction. This raises serious questions about a potential conflict of interest and possible misuse of official position.
Chester Hills Project Already Under Cloud
The controversy is deepened by the fact that the Chester Hills housing project itself is under investigation for alleged violations of Section 118 of the Himachal Pradesh Tenancy and Land Reforms Act. The project is suspected to involve land purchases in the name of local farmers, followed by large-scale development.
State Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi has indicated a possible scam of around ₹300 crore involving nearly 150 bighas of land, with the broader issue reportedly spanning up to 275 bighas. The issue has also cast a shadow over the role of senior bureaucratic figures.
Probe Likely to Intensify
Sources suggest that vigilance authorities may step up the probe in the coming days. If prima facie evidence is established, the case could escalate from departmental proceedings to a full-fledged criminal investigation.
For now, the report is under examination at the Deputy Commissioner level, with the state government expected to take a call on further action.
The case has not only sparked a political and administrative debate but also raised a larger question—whether this is a case of internal accountability or a backlash against an officer who had exposed a high-value scam.
