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Himachal government did not allow probe into land deal: CBI
Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh government did not permit investigation into the land deal involving former Punjab and Haryana High Court judge Nirmal Yadav, the CBI said. The deal is being seen as part of the cash-for-judge scam that rocked the judicial circles in Chandigarh in 2008.
The 11 bighas of land involving 18 buyers, included Justice Yadav and her daughter Suruchi, and three family members of her brother Ajay Yadav, a former Haryana Congress minister.
In an affidavit placed before a division bench of the Himachal Pradesh High Court Friday, the CBI said the role of the state government officials could not be investigated for want of consent by the state.
The bench comprising Chief Justice Mansoor Ahmad Mir and Justice Dharam Chand Chaudhary, while listing the matter for the next hearing Dec 18, directed petitioner Anti-Corruption Front of Faridabad to file its reply to the CBI’s affidavit.
According to the affidavit, the role of some state officials came under suspicion while investigating the purchase of land by Nirmal Yadav.
Since it is a separate allegation, a fresh FIR (first information report) is required to be registered, incorporating officials of the state as accused in the matter, it said.
The affidavit said the consent of the government was required to investigate the role of government officials of any state.
Accordingly, a note was sent to the state government, but consent was declined citing “request to grant consent of the state government cannot be accorded keeping in view the peculiar facts and circumstances of the case”.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court was hit by the cash-for-judge scam after a packet containing Rs.15 lakh in cash was delivered Aug 13, 2008 at the residence of (then) newly-appointed High Court Judge Nirmaljit Kaur.
She (Nirmaljit) registered a complaint with the police.
Nirmal Yadav was serving in the high court when the scam was reported.
Police later arrested the then Haryana additional advocate general Sanjeev Bansal, property dealer Rajiv Gupta and Delhi-based hotelier Ravinder Singh in this connection.
Bansal and Gupta told police that the money was meant for another high court judge, Nirmal Yadav. They claimed that another packet containing Rs.15 lakh was separately delivered to Nirmal Yadav at her official residence later, after the first packet was wrongly delivered to another woman judge.
The money in question was from a land deal. The CBI investigation stated later.
Nirmal Yadav, who went on leave after the incident surfaced, was transferred to Uttarakhand High Court subsequently. She retired in 2011.
The trial against Yadav is pending before a court in Chandigarh.
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.