SC housing society: Probe into ‘illegalities’ called for

Former SC registrar highlights a number of anomalies in the society’s affairs

ISLAMABAD: An inquiry has been ordered into alleged illegalities in a Rawalpindi housing society for Supreme Court employees.

The registrar of the Cooperatives Societies of Punjab has ordered for an inquiry into alleged anomalies related to the affairs of Supreme Court Employees Cooperative Housing Society (SCECHS) Rawalpindi. He has also called for the submission of a report by January 31.

Former SC registrar Budha Khan filed a petition before the registrar highlighting a number of illegalities in the affairs of the society.

The registrar’s order, passed on December 30, 2015, states, “Relevant record perused and examined. A copy of the petition is remitted to Rawalpindi DCC with the direction to hold an inquiry under section 43 of CSA 1925 into the matter within one month from the date of issuance of order and to submit report to the undersigned.”

In his petition, Khan has relied on a report by the administrator of the society. The report was submitted to the Rawalpindi cooperatives district officer on May 22, 2015.

According to the report, members of society have been waiting for years for the project to begin. No development has been carried out, the report says, adding that the management has failed to execute the development agreement or initiate land acquisition, incurred huge losses to the society.

Further, the report alleges that the office of society is located inside the SC building, and high security limits access for society members.

In the petition, the administrator contends that the label of “Supreme Court” has jeopardised the legal rights of hundreds of private members, who are still fighting to obtain their membership and voting rights in the scheme.

When contacted by The Express Tribune, SCECHS President Ghulam Ghous completely rejected the allegations leveled by the administrator in the report. Ghous said they have no objection over the inquiry, which is being ordered by the Punjab Cooperatives registrar on Khan’s petition. In addition, the society’s president has alleged that Khan was directly involved in past irregularities in the society.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 20^th, 2016.