Aawaaz, a Civil Society Group organized a silent protest in solidarity with Ashok Khemka who received the transfer order as a punitive measure for probing the land deals between Robert Vadra and realtor giant DLF, the Haryana government. Though Haryana Government issued a four-page press statement insisting that Ashok Khemka — the IAS officer sent packing from the post of Inspector-General of Registration and Director General Land Consolidation — had been posted out on the orders of the Punjab and Haryana High Court and not for instituting any inquiries. But Mr. Khemka — an IAS officer with a reputation for integrity who has been transferred 43 times in a career spanning two decades — rejected the Haryana government’s claims.
Gaurav Goel, an advocate said that the government has again proved to be a failure as an honest and respected IAS officer Mr. Khemka has been victim of corrupt policies of government. Just because Mr. Vadra is the son in law of Congress President Sonia Gandhi, DLF gave Mr.Vadra heavily-discounted luxury apartments and interest-free loans in Haryana, where the Congress has been in power since 2004. This is unjust and unfair. He is being punished for being upright and exposing scams.
Varun Giri an active member expressing disgust on the matter said that this is a national shame and it would thwart other honest officers to probe an investigation against any malpractice committed by government. If the government continues to favour political leaders or associates, it would hamper the right functioning of the government policies.
Other members of the group said we stand together here to march a silent protest in support of Mr Khemka who we believe has falsely been victimized for probing into an investigation into Mr. Vadra’s Manesar land deal with DLF. He adds if a sincere officer would be given such a treatment for initiating a probe against Mr. Vadra or any other political associate, there is no hope of justice in India.