The Gujarat High Court has dealt a significant blow to the Opposition’s bid to corner the ruling BJP in the run-up to the state assembly elections by quashing an FIR filed against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s son, Hardik Modi, in connection with a disputed land deal.
The FIR, which was registered at the Palanpur police station in Banaskantha district, alleged that the younger Modi had bought a 1,500-bigha plot in the Gir forest without obtaining the necessary permission from the authorities. The land deal has been a subject of controversy, with Opposition parties accusing the BJP government of favoring the Prime Minister’s family.
Background of the Controversy
The land deal in question pertains to a 1,500-bigha plot in the Gir forest that was allocated to the Gujarat government’s rural development department for a tribal development project. However, it is alleged that the plot was later diverted to a company linked to Hardik Modi, who owns a significant stake in the venture.
The FIR was filed in 2022, and the Palanpur police had launched a probe into the matter. However, the Gujarat government had maintained that the land deal was above board and that the Prime Minister’s family had done nothing wrong.
The High Court’s Ruling
The Gujarat High Court, in its ruling, held that the FIR was filed without sufficient evidence and that there was no material to support the allegations against Hardik Modi. The court further observed that the land deal was a legitimate transaction and that the younger Modi had obtained all the necessary permissions before buying the plot.
The High Court’s ruling is a significant setback for the Opposition, which had been hoping to use the land deal controversy to target the BJP in the upcoming state assembly elections. The ruling has also brought relief to the Prime Minister’s family, who were facing intense scrutiny over the alleged irregularities in the land deal.
The Gujarat government, which has been accused of favoring the Prime Minister’s family, has welcomed the High Court’s ruling. ‘We are pleased that the High Court has upheld the law and cleared the Prime Minister’s family of any wrongdoing,’ said a senior government spokesperson.
However, the Opposition parties have vowed to continue their fight against the BJP, saying that the land deal controversy is just the tip of the iceberg. ‘This is a clear case of crony capitalism and corruption,’ said a senior Congress leader. ‘We will continue to expose the BJP’s wrongdoings and demand justice for the people of Gujarat.’
What happens next remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – the controversy over the land deal has far from died down. The Gujarat High Court’s ruling has brought some relief to the Prime Minister’s family, but the Opposition parties will continue to press for a thorough investigation into the matter. As the state assembly elections draw near, the controversy is likely to remain a major issue in the campaign.
In the meantime, the Prime Minister’s family has welcomed the High Court’s ruling, saying that it has vindicated their reputation. ‘We are grateful to the High Court for upholding the law and clearing our name,’ said a family spokesperson. ‘We will continue to cooperate with the authorities and ensure that the truth comes out.’