A high-ranking official in the south-central Vietnamese province of Binh Thuan has been probed for his role in serious violations related to land management.

The provincial Department of Police confirmed on Monday they had initiated legal proceedings against Do Ngoc Diep, chairman of the People’s Council in Phan Thiet City, the capital of Binh Thuan Province.

Diep was charged for his involvement in errors related to land management when he was the chairman of the Phan Thiet People’s Committee from 2016 to September 2018.

Police also probed Le Ho Khai and Nguyen Tri, who are employees of the Phan Thiet Office of Natural Resources and Environment.

Diep and Tri are required not to leave their place of residence, while Khai has been taken into custody.

Officers have searched the house of Diep to assist their investigation.

According to the inspection committee under the Binh Thuan Party Committee, Diep signed and approved many plans on the use of land plots in Thien Nghiep, Phong Nam, and Tien Loi Communes in Phan Thiet City.

The plans, however, went against the overall development plan of the Binh Thuan administration.

Particularly, Diep signed 32 decisions and let his deputies sign another 100 decisions, which allowed the transfer of agricultural land into land for rural housing.

Diep also failed to deal with various violations of land management in the city, which led to the establishment of illegitimate residential areas in Thien Nghiep, Phong Nam, and Tien Loi Communes.

His oversight resulted in many officials and public servants breaking the law on land use.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!