In a major development, IPS officer Rachita Juyal—who recently submitted her resignation from the Indian Police Service citing personal reasons—has now been appointed to lead a crucial vigilance probe into the controversial ₹58 crore Haridwar land scam.
The official order, issued late Thursday by Uttarakhand Home Secretary Shailesh Bagoli, designates Juyal as the head of a five-member vigilance team. Notably, her resignation is still under consideration by the state government.
From Resignation Headlines to High-Profile Assignment
A 2015-batch IPS officer known for her integrity, Ms. Juyal garnered public attention after submitting her resignation upon completing ten years of service. While she cited personal and family reasons, speculation on social media and among opposition leaders linked her exit to alleged political pressure over corruption exposure.
Juyal firmly denied such claims, asserting that her resignation was voluntary and unconnected to any external influence. Yet, her abrupt appointment to lead one of the state’s most sensitive corruption probes is widely seen as a calculated move to both defuse political tensions and signal administrative transparency.
Background: The Haridwar Land Scam
The case involves the 2024 purchase of approximately 33 bighas of land in Sarai village by the Haridwar Municipal Corporation. Though the land—adjacent to a garbage dump—was valued at around ₹13 crore, it was purchased at a highly inflated rate of ₹54–₹58 crore.
Concerns escalated after it emerged that the land’s classification was changed from agricultural to non-agricultural under Section 143 just days before the sale, during the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct for local body elections.
Initial Investigation & Government Action
A preliminary probe led by Secretary Ranveer Singh Chauhan exposed serious procedural violations. Based on his findings, the state government suspended ten officials—including two IAS officers, one PCS officer, and the then District Magistrate of Haridwar.
Five additional officials had earlier faced departmental action. Following this, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami ordered a full-fledged vigilance inquiry, cancellation of the land deal, recovery of misused public funds, and a special audit of municipal projects during the tenure of then Municipal Commissioner Varun Chaudhary.
Government’s Message: Transparency and Accountability
Sources suggest that appointing Ms. Juyal to head the probe is a strategic move to reinforce public confidence and dispel perceptions of bias or political interference. The move also counters the narrative that her resignation was linked to institutional suppression.
By placing Juyal at the helm, the government appears to be making a dual statement—underscoring her credibility while affirming its commitment to a fair, transparent, and impartial investigation.
Unanswered Questions on Land Use and Beneficiaries
Key questions persist about the motive behind the inflated land purchase, especially with no clear explanation for its intended use. These unresolved issues continue to stoke public suspicion and debate over potential misuse of power and hidden beneficiaries.
Now that Ms. Juyal is leading the investigation, there are growing expectations for a swift, thorough, and transparent inquiry that will bring clarity and accountability to the forefront.
