Special Investigation Team submits report

Visakhapatnam: A three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprises DIG of Police Vineet Brijlal, Joint Collector, Visakhapatnam, G Srijana and Deputy Executive Officer, TTD, L Vijayasaradhi, which conducted a six-month probe into the tampering of land records, land grabbing cases and several land related irregularities, submitted its report to Commissioner of Police T Yoganand here on Monday.

It may be recalled that there are allegations on several influential persons including government officials and elected representatives that they have been tampered government land records and occupied government and private lands in 2016 and 2017.

With allegations and counter allegations on the issue, the state government appointed DIG of Police Vineet Brijlal to probe into it and submit a detailed report within three months. Later, the government extended the term of SIT to another three months, which ended on December 28, 2017.

During the six-month long probe, the SIT received 2,875 complaints of them 333 related to government lands. The SIT also received 11 complaints from people’s representatives. The SIT also investigated into 68 NoCs given by the then district administration and finally submitted its report to commissioner of police.

The SIT also recommended to the government to initiate action against violators. According to an official release, the SIT said that as the government has to respond on its report it is not possible to reveal the SIT findings and recommendations to public.

The SIT also recommended for taking up action on the persons and officials who involved in land record tampering and land grabbing cases. The team also identified loopholes in the existing institutional set up. The SIT also suggested to the government to take up revamping steps in the land administration.