Haridwar, May 16 -- Politics has heated up over the probe into alleged irregularities in a land purchase deal under the Haridwar Municipal Corporation, in Sarai village within the municipal limits. Congress and other opposition parties have demanded a transparent, time-bound investigation into alleged land scam involving government officials at multiple levels, people aware of the matter said on Thursday. The Congress has called for action not only against municipal personnel but also against high-ranking officials who were either directly involved or were allegedly aware of the illegal proceedings. Garima Mehra Dasauni, state spokesperson for the Congress, said, "Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami's claims of corruption-free governance and zero tolerance for corruption have been exposed by the Sarai land scam, which involves personnel from the municipal corporation as well as senior administrative officials." Dasauni also demanded a broader investigation, including irregularities in Dehradun's civic bodies. "The chief minister may have ordered a probe, but it is being led by an administrative officer. How can the investigation be transparent when senior officials are being shielded? Is the government serious about bringing the real conspirators to justice or just protecting the guilty?" she questioned. "Congress demands an independent authority to investigate this serious matter." Echoing similar concerns, Samajwadi Party national secretary Satyanarayan Sachan criticised the ruling BJP for failing to curb corruption in land dealings. "People in the state are fed up with scams and the misuse of public office and funds. The government must ensure legal action against the administrative and government officers involved in these illegal deals," Sachan said. Responding to the criticism, Haridwar MP and former chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said that no one involved in the Sarai land scam will be spared. "The chief minister took immediate cognizance of the issue and appointed a senior officer to investigate. Uttarakhand has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption. Once the probe is completed, strict action will be taken against all those found guilty," Rawat further said. Notably, the state government ordered a probe into the matter on April 29, and on May 2, four officials were suspended for their alleged involvement in the irregular land deal under the Haridwar Municipal Corporation. The action followed directives from CM Dhami for strict action against those responsible. According to the officials, they failed to properly discharge their duties as members of the committee responsible for the land purchase in the Sarai area....