Speakers Seek Government Records, RTI Disposal and Clarity on Land Transfers, Approvals in SEZ–Non-SEZ Case
New Delhi: A press conference at the Press Club of India in New Delhi brought renewed attention to questions surrounding nearly 7,200 acres of land in Haryana’s Jhajjar and Gurugram districts linked to SEZ and non-SEZ projects.
International human rights defender Sardar Charanjit Singh and his associates urged the Haryana government to release key records. They sought documents on land acquisition, land-use changes, government land transfers and project approvals.
Demand for Original Government Records
Sardar Charanjit Singh said the campaign is not intended to target any individual or company. Instead, he said, the objective is to establish the facts through official records.
The group seeks details of stamp duty paid on land transactions. It also wants records of government exemptions, reimbursements, the SEZ-to-non-SEZ transition and related approvals.
Singh summarised the demand as: “We do not want allegations; we want government documents.”
Questions Over Reported Land Value
The press conference also questioned the reported rise in land value. Based on documents presented during the briefing, speakers said the land reportedly sold for around ₹20–22 lakh per acre, while developers later valued the developed land at up to ₹24.20 crore per acre.
The speakers clarified that this comparison was being presented as a question rather than an established fact. They said official records should establish the complete picture, including the interests of the original land sellers.
HSIIDC Agreement and Project Approvals
The speakers also called for disclosure, wherever legally permitted, of the joint venture agreement with HSIIDC, government land transfer records, land valuation documents and relevant government file notings and approvals.
They further sought clarity on compliance with the reported provision requiring 70% employment for Haryana residents under the project.
Pending RTI Applications
Another major demand was the timely disposal of pending applications filed under the Right to Information Act, 2005. Speakers called for such applications to be processed within the prescribed timelines.
They argued that if the land acquisition, transfer and subsequent project changes were carried out according to law, making the relevant records public could help answer the questions being raised.
Call for Transparency and Impartial Inquiry
Senior Supreme Court advocate Balraj Malik urged citizens to raise public-interest issues through constitutional and peaceful means. He said democracy goes beyond elections and also depends on citizens being able to question institutions and seek accountability.
Sardar Charanjit Singh reiterated that the campaign seeks transparency, accountability and access to verified information. He urged authorities to publish statutory records related to the SEZ–non-SEZ land matter and conduct an impartial inquiry into any genuine legal or administrative irregularities found in those records.
