Key Points:
Ex-BJP Councillor Shailender Singh Monty has been accused of corruption and land grabbing since 2012
He acquired multiple properties in Hauz Khas and Green Park Extension while Municipal Councillor and has wealth disproportianate to his income
Despite complaints registered with the Delhi Police, Lieutenant Governor, High Court and central agencies, no action has been taken yet
Delhi BJP Councillor Shailender Singh Monty has been accused of possessing ‘benami properties’ in the capital.
The allegations were first brought forward in a 2012 complaint by one Dayanand Gochwal. According to the complaint Monty had acquired two properties in Delhi’s Hauz Khas and Green Park Extension areas by encroaching on DDA land. The allegations have been expanded since to include six other properties that are not registered in his own name but are linked to him through family members—‘benami properties’. He is also alleged to have wealth disproportianate to his stated income. The complainant has alleged that even after presenting evidence of the irregularities, the system “turned a blind eye” and failed to take any meaningful action.
Delhi Lokayukta, the state’s corruption investigation agency, produced a report on the allegations of corruption made against Monty. In its order, produced in 2024, the Lokayukta concluded that the majority of the eight properties in contestation were acquired by Monty during his tenure as Municipal Councillor from 2007-2017. The report said that it was clearly established that Monty “abused or misused his position to obtain wrongful gains or favours, and adopted corrupt means for personal interest.”
Gochwal had earlier alleged that crores worth of transactions were made by Monty. The Lokayukta report confirmed these transactions, ranging from 15 lakhs to 2 crore, stating that these transactions were disproportionate to his stated income and Monty was unable to provide a reasonable explanation for them. The report stated that “a clear case is made out for deep investigation/inquiry into the matter and to take appropriate steps.” It recommended investigations by the Anti Corruption Bureau and the Enforcement Directorate.
In its own report, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) confirmed the allegations of encroachment. It directed Delhi Police to register an FIR in the matter and urged the ED to launch an investigation against Monty under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.
Gochwal said that he had approached the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi on the matter, as well as the Delhi Police, but nothing came of it. The case is currently pending in Delhi High Court.
Monty himself has strongly denied the allegations. In comments made to local media, he described the complaint as “baseless,” insisting that he possesses land in Hauz Khas because he is a local.
The larger issue of benami properties has long troubled the Indian real estate sector. Benami transactions—where properties are purchased in another person’s name while the real owner remains hidden—are illegal under Indian law. The Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act, 1988, lays down strict penalties, including confiscation of such properties. Despite this, enforcement remains patchy, and cases involving influential figures often face delays. The complaint against Monty is seen by many as another example of how difficult it is to pursue such cases to their conclusion. [Rh/DS]
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