AJL plot case: CBI slaps case on Haryana ex-CM Hooda

NEW DELHI: Congress leader and former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda was booked under criminal charges by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for his alleged role in re-allotment of a plot to Associated Journals Limited (AJL) in Panchkula in 2005.

The main allegation against the ex-CM, AJL and senior officials of Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) is that they conspired to re-allot 3,500 square meters by disregarding rules under HUDA act thereby causing a loss of ₹62 lakh to the state government.

A probe into the case was initiated by the state vigilance bureau of the BJP-led Haryana government which accused Hooda allotting the plot, located in Panchkula’s Sector 6 area, to the publisher of now-defunct daily, The

National Herald. Hooda was then the chairman of the urban planning agency in 2005. Other than Hooda, AJL, the then chief administrator, administrator, chairman and financial commissioner of town and country planning department were among the accused booked by CBI on Wednesday evening.

CBI spokesperson RK Gaur said an FIR was lodged under IPC sections for criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, cheating and misuse of official position by public servants.

The case was taken over more than three months after Haryana’s vigilance department requested for a CBI investigation from the Centre.