CBI to probe Associated Journals Limited plot allotment

CHANDIGARH: The Haryana government today said it has handed over the matter pertaining to reallotment of a plot to Associated Journals Limited (AJL) in Panchkula in 2005 to the CBI for probe.

"This case (AJL) has been given to CBI for probe a few days back and soon the CBI will start investigation," Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar told reporters here.

Notably, Haryana State Vigilance Bureau had registered a case of cheating and corruption against former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and four HUDA officials for allegedly realloting a plot to AJL in 2005.

The case under various IPC sections, including criminal breach of trust by a public servant, cheating, criminal conspiracy and provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act was registered against Hooda, the then Haryana Urban Development Authority chairman, a post held by him ex-officio as the CM, and four of its top officials then, on May 5 this year.

The plot had been initially allotted to AJL, the owner of National Herald newspaper, in 1982. After the expiry of the lease period in 1996, the then Haryana Vikas Party goverment led by Bansi Lal resumed its possession. It was reallotted to AJL after the Congress leader came to power in 2005.

The vigilance bureau had alleged that the act by the then HUDA chairman and the officials had caused a huge financial loss to the public sector undertaking as the plot should have been sold through open auction instead of being allotted again to AJL.

Hooda had then alleged it was political vendetta.