Matiari Scam probe committee reveals Rs2.1b withdrawn illegally

HYDERABAD, Nov 20 (NNI): The fact-finding committee Sunday disclosed shocking revelations regarding the fraud of Rs2.14 billion in funds in the purchase of land for Hyderabad Sukkur Motorway.
The 2-member committee of Matiari land scam revealed that two political families who offered land for Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway without fulfilling official procedures also came forward. The families of a member of national assembly and a senator, both belong to Pakistan Peoples’ Party, withdrew money from the bank through their managers.
Instead of payment to land­owners by cross cheques, the amount was drawn in cash by the accused in their own names, according to the inquiry report.
The report further stated that Mansoor Abbasi’s recoded his statement before the two-member committee. He said that cash was withdrawn to distribute money among the account holders under the pressure of land owners.
Assistant Commissioner New Saeed Abad prepared only eight incomplete files for land acquisition.
In eight files only Annexure D contains application, photographs and non-judicial stamp paper attached, the report added.
Syed Ghulam Murtaza Shah, Khursheed Shiraz, Shahnaz Shah, Ali Akbar Shah Jamot, Shaheen Sharaf Shah, Amal Najiba Shah, Syed Ume Habiba and Rabia Shah are among those who took the money without fulfilling the requirements, reports said.
Assistant Commissioner Tehsil New Saeed Abad Mansoor Abbasi did not create any ledger or cash book to distribute money.
Hyderabad: New Saidabad Land Acquisition Officer Mansoor Abbasi has not fulfilled Section 11 Land Acquisition Act, reports
Mansoor Abbasi withdrew more than Rs 2,149,100,000 cash through open cheques instead of eight account holders receiving money, one or two unrelated persons on affidavit received through open cheque.
Even verified land documents were not obtained from eight land sellers but money provided to them.
Meanwhile, Hyderabad Police and Anti-Corruption arrested the driver of former DC Matiari Adnan Rasheed. Former DC Adnan Rashid is on three-day remand
Pertinent to note that Former Deputy Commissioner of Matiari Adnan Rashid was arrested by the Hyderabad Police from Matiari on charges of corruption in the purchase of the land allotted for construction of Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway.
According to documents, the National Highway Authority (NHA) had released an amount of Rs4.09 billion to DC Matiari for purchase of the land for the motorway. The accused drawn Rs 2.14 billion cash from bank for procurement of land for 70 kilometers of the road, according to documents. NNI