CBI to probe S Delhi illegal constructions

NEW DELHI: In what may uncover a vast builder-municipal staff mafia, the Delhi high court on Wednesday roped in the CBI to investigate rampant illegal constructions in posh areas of south Delhi.

HC ordered the agency to immediately conduct a preliminary inquiry and examine how unauthorised constructions mushroomed in Mehrauli and nearby localities.

"We direct the CBI to conduct the preliminary enquiry against unauthorised constructions, officials of SDMC, police officials, builders and also against the petitioner on whom allegations of blackmailing have been made," a bench of justices B D Ahmed and Sanjeev Sachdeva said.

It asked the DCP south zone, deputy commissioner (Revenue) and deputy commissioner (MCD), concerned sub-registrar, officials of Delhi Jal Board and electricity department to supply all relevant documents to the probe agency. The bench asked the CBI to file the status report by April 6 in a sealed cover.

On December 2, the court had warned that it may order CBI probe into unauthorised constructions in south Delhi. It had sought a status report on why police force was not provided to the squads carrying out the demolition drive.