New Delhi, Jan 21 (IANS) Widening the ambit of probe in the allotments of Delhi Development Authority (DDA) flats, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Delhi Police Wednesday sent notices to all 5,238 allottees, seeking their application details within 15 days.“We are not only probing irregularities in the SC/ST (Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes) category but also holding investigations into the entire DDA allotment process now,” said Additional Commissioner of Police (EOW) S.B.K. Singh.

“The process of sending notices to all 3,600 allottees of general category is under way. If we find any criminal breach in the allotment of general category, we will take action accordingly,” Singh added.

People who were allotted flats under the reserved SC/ST category have already been served notices.

DDA held a draw of lots for 5,328 flats, priced between Rs.700,000 to Rs.7.7 million, Dec 16 to choose from among more than 500,000 applications.

But Delhi Police began investigations after a man who was allotted a flat in the draw complained that he had neither applied for one nor had a PAN (permanent account number) card that was needed to apply.

The police have so far arrested retired DDA employee M.L. Gautam, seen as the kingpin of the scam, real estate agents Raju Ram and Deepak Kumar, who allegedly blew the lid off the scam after falling out with the syndicate of real estate agents, and Lakshmi Narayan Meena, a resident of Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan.

The police have also arrested Dinesh Dral, a direct selling agent from west Delhi’s Dwarka, for allegedly opening bank account on forged papers and providing financial help to Deepak Kumar.

Police official Singh said though complaints had been received from Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh, nothing concrete has emerged. Police teams have already held inquiries in Jhunjhunu of Rajasthan and Bulandshahr of Uttar Pradesh.

“The arrest of absconding real estate agent Suresh Kumar Meena is vital in the case. But we have identified a house belonging to another DDA officer where all the forms were filled,” Singh added.

Asked about the main financer of the scam, Singh said the police have identified the person but do not have concrete evidence against him. “We are keeping a close watch and will arrest him once we have strong evidence.”

In the notice to allottees, the police have asked for the following information within 15 days:

1. If you have applied/received allotment under the DDA house scheme of 2008, provide us your application form number.

2. Have you directly applied or it was through an agent or any individual?

3. Who filed details in the application form?

4. Had you applied for the DDA housing after availing bank loan? If yes, give us the name of the bank and the branch.

5. How did you pay the earnest money of Rs.6,000 required at the time of availing loan facility from the bank?

6. Did you pay your earnest money through your bank account? If yes, mention the account number.

7. Whether you applied for a PAN card at the time of filing the form or did you already have one?

8. If you applied for a PAN card at the time of filing, through which agency and individual did you apply for it?

9. If you have received your PAN card, provide a photocopy.

10. In all, how many signatures were put, taking into account all the forms together?

11. Any other information you would like to share related to the present matter.