Lucknow | January 2, 2026 | Nearly 11 years after the multi-crore Lucknow monument scam first came under the scanner, the Uttar Pradesh administration has begun preparing for concrete action. Based on an FIR registered by the Vigilance Department in 2014, the long-running investigation has now entered a decisive phase, with two former senior officials of the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) facing the prospect of direct action.
According to sources, the then Superintending Engineer Vimal Kumar Sonkar (retired) and Chief Engineer Triloki Nath (retired) are at the centre of the probe. Investigating agencies allege that their roles in granting technical approvals, procuring construction material, finalising tenders and clearing payments for monument projects were questionable. Officials say a file-by-file scrutiny of decisions taken during their tenure is currently underway.
Probe Accelerated at Commissioner Level
Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant has reviewed the case and directed officials to expedite the investigation. The LDA has been instructed to submit all relevant documents without delay, including tender files, payment records, technical sanctions and related correspondence.
To ensure smooth coordination, LDA Secretary Vivek Srivastava has been appointed as the nodal officer for the case. Administrative sources said the intent is to eliminate any gaps in documentation and bring the probe to a logical conclusion.
As per officials, the state government issued clear directions on December 22, 2025, asking the Commissioner to complete the inquiry at the earliest and submit an action-taken report. This has been widely interpreted as a signal that the case will move beyond procedural examination to concrete administrative and legal steps.
Scam Dates Back to 2007–2011
The alleged scam dates back to the period between 2007 and 2011, during the tenure of the then BSP government. Several large-scale monuments and parks were constructed in Lucknow and Noida during this period, including the Ambedkar Samajik Parivartan Sthal, Manyavar Kanshiram Memorial, Gautam Buddha Park, Kanshiram Eco Green Garden, and the Ambedkar Park in Noida.
According to investigative agencies, a total budget of more than ₹4,276 crore was sanctioned for these projects, of which approximately ₹4,148 crore was spent. It is alleged that large-scale irregularities occurred in the procurement of stone, allotment of construction works and cost assessments, leading to an estimated loss of around ₹1,400 crore.
Officials of State Construction Corporation Also Under Lens
The probe is not limited to the LDA alone. Several officials of the State Construction Corporation have also come under scrutiny. Vigilance findings indicate that around 57 officers and employees associated with construction, accounts and administrative wings were allegedly involved at various levels in the execution of these projects.
Accountability Even After Retirement
Senior officials said prolonged inquiries and procedural delays had kept the case in limbo for years. However, the government has now made it clear that retirement will not shield officials from accountability. If the allegations are substantiated, departmental proceedings as well as legal action could be initiated against the accused officers.
Political and administrative circles see this development as a significant step towards renewed accountability in large government infrastructure scams in Uttar Pradesh. All eyes are now on how swiftly the investigation reaches its conclusion and whether the 11-year-old case finally results in decisive action.
