The Central Bureau of Investigation on Monday questioned former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda in connection with alleged irregularities in purchase of 400-acre land from villagers in neighbouring Gurgaon.
According to the CBI, an alleged conspiracy between the accused private builders and unknown government officials caused a loss of ₹1,500 crore to the villagers from whom the land was purchased in Manesar, Naurangpur and Lakhnoula villages.
Searches conducted
The agency, which took over the case in September 2015, had earlier conducted searches on the premises of former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and a Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Member, besides a serving Indian Administrative Service officer and several builders.
Under the “threat and false apprehension that their land would be acquired by the State government at a meagre rate”, the owners allegedly sold their land to builders at throwaway prices between August 2004 and August 2007
According to the CBI, the Hooda-led State government had issued a notification for acquisition of land measuring 912 acres in these villages for developing an industrial model township.
Land released
However, later, the government issued orders in August 2007 releasing the land parcels purchased by the builders from acquisition allegedly in violation of set rules, and also purportedly issued to them licences for land-use change.
For its part, the Enforcement Directorate is also conducting money laundering investigations on the basis of the CBI case.
