Purchase of land: Malhotra denies reports

Ashok Malhotra is somewhat shocked at the way fingers are being pointed at him regarding the purchase of 100 acres of land along with former Indian captain Kapil Dev. The documents of this plot were seized during the income tax raids on the premises of Kapil Dev a couple of days ago. But Malhotra, who is a national selector, is the first to admit that he has indeed paid money to acquire his share of the plot.

``Yes, I have paid a lakh of rupees as my share. But then, I am not alone. Twenty cricketers have each paid Rs 1,00,000 for five acres of land. Along with me, Maninder Singh, Chetan Sharma, TA Sekhar, Madan Lal, Arun Lal and a few others whose names I cannot remember at present have all contributed for the purchase of this land. Each share would have been five acres when the land would have been granted to us. But the fact remains is that the land is yet to be handed over to us. Whenever, we have tried to take possession, problems have cropped up. As far as I am concerned, I think that the money has gone down the drain.''

Narrating the entire story, the former Indian batsman said, ``It was I who called up Kapil Dev when I had heard that he was working out such a cheap deal for the cricketers. I had asked him to get a plot for me also. And as far as this area of land is concerned, I think nothing is wrong.''

Malhotra also added that quite a few of the buyers had paid a lakh simply because they had thought that the price of the land would increase one day and that they could have made a profit. At the same time he points out, ``Why don't you go and see the land for yourself. We call it the Rocky Gardens. It is full of rocks. So naturally, the owner sold it off at a very cheap rate. Now, however, we have give up hope of taking possession of the land.''

When asked whether he was ready to disclose his assets to the IT authorities, Malhotra said, ``They are always welcome to come to my 1,500 square foot flat and check all my accounts. I have always believed in abiding by the law. I have not done anything illegal.'' He said he was unhappy because, none of the magazines and the newspapers tried taking his version before printing his name. ``I am a very small person and I do not want to be dragged into any controversy needlessly.''

Malhotra's statement was also corroborated by the another former Indian batsman Arun Lal. He stated that he had also purchased a share of five acres on that particular plot of land by paying Rs 1,00,000.