The CID naming IAS officer and former VUDA Vice-Chairman and GVMC Commissioner V.N. Vishnu in its FIR, has brought into focus again the unauthorised construction of an apartment complex at Sector II of MVP Colony.

The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation has issued building plan approval for construction of an apartment complex in an area earmarked for community purpose. The GVMC authorities contended that VUDA being a higher authority on the proceedings (of allotment of land) given by it, building plan approvals have been given. The CBI probed the irregularities in the allotment after a High Court direction. Mr. Vishnu who was transferred from his position as Municipal Commissioner came and deposed before the CBI. Subsequently, the investigation was taken over by the CID. The Vigilance and Enforcement wing also probed the irregularities in VUDA and submitted a report to the government.

Though VUDA allotted the land, the ownership of the land could have been verified by GVMC officials who prepared the proposals for approval of building plan. It was learnt that Mr. Vishnu noted “approved” on the file.

Files seized

All the files relating to allotment in Survey No 5p and 6p were seized by CBI and are now with the CID. With the investigation now also focussing on the role of GVMC employees, mainly the City Planning Department, it is now expected that the actual investigation will zero in on who signed on the papers at various stages leading to the final approval by Mr. Vishnu. “Merely shifting the blame to VUDA is not justified. It’s incumbent on the GVMC employees to verify the ownership,” an official said. Meanwhile, the residents association has demanded that the land be restored to it so that it could be used for community purpose.