Chargesheeted Sub-Divisional Engineer Vipin Gupta, accused of allowing grave violations of building bylaws, has been exonerated of all charges by the Punjab Raj Bhawan. UT Secretary (Engineering) Sanjay Kumar, in charge of the inquiry against Gupta, said: “We have given him a clean chit, as nothing objectionable was found against him.”

In February 2008, an inquiry was initiated against a number of officials of the UT Engineering Department and Estate Office, including Gupta, for allegedly issuing completion and occupation certificates to several landowners, without verifying the facts. It was only after a local advocate, Vishal Sharma, filed a writ-petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking action against the “errant” officials that the Administration’s top-brass was issued showcause notices on February 7, 2008. UT Home Secretary Krishna Mohan was asked to appear in person. A week later, UT Chief Engineer S K Jaitley issued a chargesheet against Gupta asking him to furnish a reply within 20 days. UT Advisor Pradip Mehra, being the disciplinary authority, had ordered a major penalty and stern action against Gupta. But a few months later, UT Administrator Gen S F Rodrigues (retd) ordered a fresh inquiry, which was handed it over to Finance Secretary Sanjay Kumar, who was also the acting Home Secretary then. Kumar termed Gupta’s reply as “satisfactory” and exonerated him of all charges. At present, Gupta is incharge of maintenance of Punjab Raj Bhawan, the UT Advisor’s residence, Home Secretary’s residence and many other VIPs government accommodations in Sector 7. Sub-Divisional Engineer Vipin Gupta chose not to comment on the issue. “Please talk to my seniors in the department,” he said.