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Case against Ansal : After days of inaction, the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) has finally decided to take strict action against Ansal Properties and Infrastructure Limited following the Chief Minister's intervention. LDA, which had been avoiding responsibility on the Ansal issue for the past seven days, has now woken up to the situation. It has announced plans to file an FIR against the company for allegedly cheating over 5,000 allottees. Additionally, LDA will challenge the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) order in the appellate tribunal and, if necessary, escalate the matter to the Supreme Court. LDA Vice Chairman Prathamesh Kumar provided this update late Monday evening.
Serious Allegations Against Ansal
The decision to lodge an FIR comes after numerous complaints surfaced against Ansal Properties. It has been alleged that the company illegally sold land in the township that was mortgaged with LDA. Further, ceiling land, Gram Samaj land, and green belt land were also sold fraudulently. These actions amount to serious fraud, and the authorities are now set to take strict legal action.
The company had originally mortgaged 411 acres of land with LDA. Now, an investigation will be conducted to determine how much of this land has been sold and how much remains. Based on the findings, a comprehensive report will be prepared.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has taken a zero-tolerance approach toward the irregularities committed by Ansal. He has ordered strict legal action against the company and directed authorities to provide legal support to homebuyers affected by the NCLT order.
Top Housing Officials Take Charge
With the Chief Minister's firm stand on the Ansal issue, top housing department officials, including Principal Secretary Housing P Guru Prasad and Secretary Housing Balkar Singh, were present at LDA headquarters on Monday.
These officials held a four-hour-long meeting with LDA officers to prepare a detailed report on the Ansal case. This report was later presented to the Chief Minister during a meeting in the evening. The presence of top housing officials throughout the day underscores the seriousness of the matter and the urgency with which the government wants it resolved.
Possible Action Against LDA Officials
LDA VC Prathamesh Kumar stated that once the FIR is lodged, an investigation will determine the role of LDA officials in the matter. If any LDA officers are found involved in wrongdoing, they too will face strict action.
Furthermore, the Chief Minister has directed that allottees who paid money to Ansal but never received their land or houses should also be encouraged to file FIRs against the company.
Alarming complaints have surfaced, including:
Land being sold multiple times to different buyers, Sale of land that did not belong to Ansal, Failure to deliver homes despite receiving payments
Buyers who have fallen victim to these fraudulent activities must file FIRs to seek justice.
LDA to Take Over Ansal Township After Dispute Resolution
LDA is considering taking control of Ansal’s township project once the legal disputes are settled. VC Prathamesh Kumar mentioned that a proposal will be sent to the government, suggesting that LDA should take over and complete the development of Ansal township.
Ansal was originally granted a license in 2005 to develop a high-tech township named Sushant Golf City on Shaheed Path. However, due to numerous irregularities and fraud complaints, the government will now decide whether LDA should be given the responsibility to complete the project.
Ansal’s License Valid Until 2028
LDA VC Prathamesh Kumar revealed that Ansal first received its township license in 2015, with a five-year deadline to complete the project. Initially, the project was spread over 6,465 acres, but after a revision in 2023, the area was reduced to 4,690 acres.
The last layout approval was given on April 6, 2023, and as per the terms, Ansal had five years to complete the project, extending the deadline to April 5, 2028. However, now that Ansal has declared bankruptcy, LDA plans to send a report to the government recommending the cancellation of Ansal’s license.
LDA to Challenge NCLT’s One-Sided Order
One of LDA’s biggest grievances is that the NCLT passed an order without making LDA or Awas Vikas a party to the case. According to VC Prathamesh Kumar, the NCLT did not even issue a notice to LDA, which means the order was passed without hearing LDA’s side of the story.
LDA has a pending land payment of approximately ₹450 crore from Ansal, which the NCLT ruling failed to take into account. As a result, LDA has decided to:
- Challenge the NCLT order in the Appellate Tribunal
- Present evidence of Ansal’s liabilities before the NCLT
- Approach the Supreme Court if necessary
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