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Summons issued to Sheila Kaul and Thungon in accommodation scam

A designated CBI court today issued summons to former urban development minister Sheila Kaul and her deputy P K Thungon in cases of corruption and criminal conspiracy relating to out-of-turn allotment of government accommodation, shops and stalls.

The summons, directing the accused to be present in the court on July 24, 27 and 31, were issued by Additional Sessions Judge Ajit Bharihoke.

Taking cognisance of the CBI chargesheets, filed on June 8, the judge observed there was prima facie evidence to proceed against the former Union ministers under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Criminal Procedure Code, including 120(b), 13(1)(2), 13(1)(d) and 13(1)(c).

Judge Bharihoke also issued summons to 12 other accused, including the then minister's personal staff -- additional private secretaries Rajan S Lal and D D Arora and assistant private secretary SL Yadav.

The CBI has filed three chargesheets. The first was against Kaul, two of her personal staff and ten others including allottees for alleged criminal conspiracy and corruption in the allotment of seven shops.

The second was against Kaul, Thungon and three allottees for alleged irregularities in the allotment of three shops and the third against the two and 44 others, including allottees of shops, under similar circumstances.

According to the chargesheets, the allotments were made in contravention of the rules and instructions in this regard. These were done without calling for any competitive tenders or applications from the general public. It caused wrongful pecuniary gain to the allottees and loss to the government.

UNI

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