To understand Prashant Bhushan's distress, read this in full...
Shanti Bhushan and his son Prashant Bhushan acquired 4.66 hectares of tea garden land to set up an educational institution. But since the land was not used for the stated purpose, the government later took it back.
It is claimed that this land is worth more than ₹35 crore today....
Also look at the land allotments made during Mayawati's government.
According to a December 2011 report in The Indian Express, in 2009, during Mayawati's tenure, Shanti Bhushan and his son Jayant Bhushan were allotted two plots of 10,000 square metres each in Noida to build farmhouses.
Critics raised questions about this allotment. The allegation was that rules were violated and such a large amount of land was given at concessional rates. Citing a CAG audit, a loss of roughly ₹145.8 crore to the public exchequer was also reported.
It was stated that about ₹3 crore was paid for these plots. Today their value is claimed to be ₹1,300 to ₹1,400 crore, though independent confirmation of this current valuation is necessary.
Another question raised in this case was that Jayant Bhushan was, at that time, appearing as a lawyer against the Mayawati government in a much-discussed park case. This sparked debate over a possible conflict of interest.
**The stamp duty case in Allahabad**
In 2011, Shanti Bhushan was accused of underpaying stamp duty by about ₹1.35 crore on the purchase of a property in Allahabad's Civil Lines area.
The Assistant Stamp Commissioner had ordered him to pay the outstanding duty and a penalty. Shanti Bhushan challenged this order, calling it legally wrong and politically motivated.
And these are the people who raise questions about democracy and corruption day and night.
Shanti Bhushan and Prashant Bhushan have been associated with the anti-corruption movement India Against Corruption. Prashant Bhushan is counted among the prominent lawyers who speak out for democracy, transparency and against corruption.
But when land allotment and stamp duty controversies connected to his family came to light, they fall silent.
Shouldn't those who demand honesty and accountability from others also be judged by the same standards themselves?
In a democracy, no one can be considered above questioning. Allegations should be investigated impartially, and where wrongdoing is proven, action should be taken according to the law.
The pain is that old matters have been dug up!