M A I N   N E W S

Rodrigues’ ex-ADC under CBI lens
Pradeep Sharma
Tribune News Service

Big Shot Major Nirvikar Singh called the shots in the Chandigarh Administration during Rodrigues’ tenure. The assets case against him is set to open the Pandora’s box as many controversial mega projects, including the Film City, the Amusement Park and Medicity, were “conceived and started” under Rodrigues’ rule.

Chandigarh, July 2
Major Nirvikar Singh, the high-profile ex-ADC to former Punjab Governor and UT Administrator SF Rodrigues, is under the CBI scanner for “amassing wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income.”

Nirvikar, who called the shots in the UT Administration during Rodrigues’ tenure, was reportedly booked by the CBI last month. The probe agency also raided his residences in Gurgaon and Delhi and seized some documents.

During preliminary investigations, the CBI is said to have stumbled upon documents showing the purchase of several properties in Gurgaon and Delhi by Nirvikar’s family besides deposits running into lakhs of rupees.

The case against Nirvikar is set to open a Pandora’s box as many controversial mega projects, including the Film City, the Amusement Park, the Prideasia Housing Project(IT Park) and Medicity, were “conceived and started” during Rodrigues’ tenure. It is being alleged that norms were thrown to winds to make these projects a reality.

While at least two of the mega projects --- the Film City and the Amusement Park--- are already under the CBI scanner, the Central Government has questioned the land acquisition for the mega projects, including the IT Park.

Given his proximity to Rodrigues, Nirvikar is alleged have influenced major decisions taken by former bureaucrats and the UT Administrator.

It was reportedly at Rodrigues’ instance that Nirvikar was given a two-year extension at the Punjab Raj Bhavan “against the Army rules which clearly state that the tenure of an ADC would strictly be for two years following which he would revert to his regiment.”

In January 2009, Nirvikar had allegedly “managed” another extension in his deputation from the Army for two years as the Deputy Director in the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) at New Delhi --- being on Extra Regimental Employment (ERE) for almost six consecutive years, including four years at the Punjab Raj Bhavan.