Haryana: Five ex-legislators booked in change of land use scam

CHANDIGARH: The Haryana State Vigilance Bureau has booked five former MLAs from the state in connection with the alleged cash-for-change of land use (CLU) scam.

The Congressmen have been booked for alleged misuse of their official powers and for graft under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, VB official said.

Among those booked yesterday are former Minister Rao Narender Singh, former Chief Parliamentary Secretary Vinod Bhayana, besides ex-legislators Naresh Selwal, Jarnail Singh and Ram Niwas Ghorela.

While a case against Rao Narender was registered at Gurgaon, the cases against the remaining were registered at Hisar, ADGP, VB, B K Sinha said.

The case dates back to 2013 when opposition INLD released some CDs purportedly showing the Congress MLAs allegedly seeking illegal gratification in lieu of getting permissions for change in land use.

Ghorela was alleged to have sought bribe in lieu of securing funds from the government for an NGO for opening schools under the Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan.

Recently, Haryana Lokayukta, Justice (retd) Pritam Pal had recommended registration of an FIR against the five accused under the Prevention of Corruption Act and completion of probe within three months.

Earlier in October 2014, he had directed the police to investigate the alleged scam after holding that it was a fit case for investigation under the Prevention of Corruption Act, even though the accused maintained that the allegations were "false".