RAIPUR: An arrest warrant has been issued against Chhattisgarh Revenue Secretary Neelam Namdev Ekka by the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) in connection with an alleged land grabbing case related to a firm of the Dainik Bhaskar Group in Janjgir-Champa district.
‘DB Power Limited’ of the DB Group allegedly cheated farmers belonging to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) community in the name of establishing a power plant in Janjgir-Champa.
The commission issued the arrest warrant for IAS officer Ekka after he failed to appear before to record his statement it in connection with the case on March 24. The NCST had issued summons to Ekka and Chhattisgarh State Industrial Development Corporation MD Arun Prasad. While Prasad appeared before the commission and presented his side, Ekka did not turn up.
The commission has asked Chhattisgarh Director General of Police (DGP) Ashok Juneja to arrest the officer and produce him before it and also send an action taken report till April 1, 2022.
The commission has initiated the investigation based on complaints regarding fraud allegedly committed by DB Power Ltd. The company allegedly employed a local agent who purchased land from tribals at throwaway prices and then sold it to DB Power.
It has been alleged that Chhattisgarh State Industrial Development Corporation also acquired land from tribals and then handed it over to the company.
The superintendent of police and district magistrate of Janjgir-Champa have also deposed before the commission which has powers of a civil court under Article 338A of the Constitution. It can issue an arrest warrant against a person in case of non-execution of its summons.