Haryana Government Assigns Jhajjar District to IAS Shekhar Vidyarthi; IAS Hema Sharma Receives Additional Charge as Settlement Commissioner Rs 3.10 Crore Land Scam Under ED Investigation Prompts Administrative Reshuffle
In a recent administrative development, the Haryana government has assigned additional responsibilities to two senior IAS officers amid an ongoing investigation into a multi-crore land acquisition scam.
Shekhar Vidyarthi to Oversee Jhajjar District
Sh. Shekhar Vidyarthi, IAS (HY:2004), has been entrusted with the additional charge of Jhajjar district. He currently serves as Commissioner & Secretary in the Archives Department and as Director General of Fire Services for the Government of Haryana. Vidyarthi will manage the affairs of Jhajjar district alongside his existing portfolios.
Hema Sharma Appointed to Chief Settlement Commissioner Cases
Smt. Hema Sharma, IAS (HY:2010), who presently holds the position of Additional Chief Electoral Officer of Haryana, has been assigned the responsibility of adjudicating cases before the Court of the Chief Settlement Commissioner. This appointment follows the relieving of Rajeev Ranjan, IAS (HY:1998), from the role. Sharma will continue her electoral duties in parallel with this new assignment.
Backdrop: Rs 3.10 Crore Land Misappropriation Case
The reshuffle coincides with an ongoing investigation into a Rs 3.10 crore land scam involving a cooperative society comprising senior officers from the IAS, IPS, and IFS cadres.
An FIR filed at Basistha Police Station in Guwahati names Sautik Goswami, Rajendra Nath, and others as accused in the misappropriation of funds. The Officers Society had advanced Rs 3.60 crore to Goswami for the purchase of 86 bighas of land intended for a residential colony for government officers. However, only Rs 50 lakh was returned, and the remaining Rs 3.10 crore remains unaccounted for.
Financial Trail and Legal Action
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has classified the missing funds as “proceeds of crime” and has filed a prosecution complaint against Goswami and Nath. The court is yet to take cognizance of the matter.
Investigations have revealed substantial cash transactions between the accused, supported by seized money receipts and recorded statements under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Rajendra Nath is alleged to have acquired multiple properties between 2016 and 2023 without any legitimate source of income, further intensifying suspicions of financial misconduct.
Implications for Governance and Ethics
The case has drawn significant attention due to the involvement of high-ranking civil servants, raising serious concerns about transparency, accountability, and ethical standards within government institutions. The alleged misuse of funds earmarked for officers’ housing has eroded public trust and highlighted the need for stronger oversight mechanisms.
Next Steps in the Investigation
The ED continues to pursue the case, aiming to identify all individuals involved and recover the misappropriated funds. Further legal proceedings are anticipated as the investigation progresses, with the potential for broader implications across administrative circles.
