The CBI on Saturday filed a charge sheet against former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and others in connection with alleged irregularities in the reallotment of a Panchkula plot to Associated Journals Limited (AJL).
Among those arraigned is veteran Congress leader Motilal Vora, who was the chairman of AJL.
The CBI has invoked provisions of the Indian Penal Code pertaining to cheating and criminal conspiracy and the Prevention of Corruption Act.
"The case is related to alleged reallotment of institutional plot No.C-17 in Sector-6 of Panchkula to AJL. Further investigation is on," said an official.
The reallotment was made in 2005 when Mr. Hooda, being the Chief Minister, chaired the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA).
According to the CBI, the 3,500-sq.m plot was initially allotted to AJL in 1982 under the condition that the construction would start within six months and completed in two years. However, as alleged, the company failed to comply with the rules.
The allotment was finally cancelled in 1996 and Mr. Vora filed appeals to reconsider the case. But, they were dismissed. The CBI alleges that after Mr. Hooda came to power, he reallotted the same plot to the company in October 2005, overlooking the rules.
Based on the CBI case, the Enforcement Directorate is also conducting a money laundering probe and has recorded the statements of Mr. Hooda and Mr. Vora.
