Haridwar Land Scam: DM, SDM, and Municipal Commissioner Suspended in ₹54 Crore Corruption Case
In a historic crackdown on corruption, the Uttarakhand government on Tuesday suspended Haridwar District Magistrate (DM), Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), and the Municipal Commissioner over their alleged involvement in a ₹54 crore land scam. The decision was taken after a high-level inquiry, ordered by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, exposed serious irregularities in a controversial land purchase deal.
हमारी सरकार भ्रष्टाचार के विरुद्ध पूरी दृढ़ता और पारदर्शिता के साथ लगातार कार्रवाई कर रही है। हमारा स्पष्ट संदेश है कि कोई व्यक्ति चाहे जितना भी प्रभावशाली या ऊँचे पद पर क्यों न हो, यदि वह भ्रष्टाचार में लिप्त पाया जाता है तो उसके ख़िलाफ़ सख़्त से सख़्त कार्रवाई की जाएगी। pic.twitter.com/d3GFaA5TOX
— Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) June 3, 2025
₹14 Crore Land Purchased for ₹54 Crore: The Core of the Scam
The corruption case revolves around the acquisition of a land parcel in Haridwar valued at ₹14 crore, which was reportedly bought at an inflated price of ₹54 crore—raising alarms over potential misuse of public funds and kickbacks. The discrepancy of ₹40 crore prompted an immediate investigation led by the state administration.
100-Page Report Exposes 12 Officials
The Chief Minister had earlier constituted a special inquiry team headed by senior bureaucrat Sachin Ranveer, which submitted a 100-page comprehensive report implicating at least 12 officers, including two IAS officers and one PCS (state civil services) officer. Following the findings, swift disciplinary action was taken, setting a strong precedent for administrative accountability.
“This government stands firmly against corruption at any level. The law will take its course, and strict action will be taken against all those involved,”
— CM Pushkar Singh Dhami
Who Has Been Suspended?
The following top officials were suspended with immediate effect:
- District Magistrate of Haridwar
- Sub-Divisional Magistrate
- Municipal Commissioner
The government has not yet disclosed the names officially, but sources suggest that these senior officers played pivotal roles in facilitating the inflated land transaction, allegedly bypassing legal procedures and manipulating valuation reports.
Political and Public Reactions
The decision has sparked widespread debate across Uttarakhand’s political landscape. While opposition parties have welcomed the move, they also demanded criminal investigations and not just administrative action.
Congress leader Yashpal Arya said, “Suspending officials is a good step, but we demand an FIR and a CBI probe. This could be a tip of the iceberg.”
Local residents and civil society groups have also praised the CM’s stance, calling it a “bold move” that could help rebuild public trust in governance.
Previous Allegations and Systemic Loopholes
The Haridwar land scam is not an isolated incident. Real estate deals in Uttarakhand, especially in pilgrimage towns like Haridwar, have long been under scrutiny for irregular land use changes, undervaluation, and political-bureaucratic nexus.
Experts say lack of transparency in land valuation processes and collusion between officials and private players have led to rampant corruption.
What Happens Next?
The government is now expected to:
- Initiate criminal proceedings based on the inquiry report
- Conduct a departmental review of similar land transactions across the state
- Introduce new mechanisms for land deal transparency and digital verification
A special audit committee has also been proposed to examine land deals made in Haridwar and Rishikesh over the past five years.