CBI chargesheets Hooda, Vora, AJL in re-allotment of institution plot

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday filed a charge sheet against former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, senior Congress leader Motilal Vora and Associated Journals Limited (AJL) in connection with the alleged re-allotment of an institutional plot in Panchkula.

As per the reports, cases of corruption, cheating, and criminal conspiracy were filed for their alleged involvement in the irregularities in the allotment of the plot (C-17) in Sector 6, in Panchkula.

The CBI filed the charge sheet in the Court of Special Judge under 120-B (Criminal Conspiracy), 420 (cheating and dishonesty) of the Indian Penal Code and Section 13 (2) R/W and 13 (1) of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

Vora, however, termed the filing of charge sheet as "dirty politics" and said that he would respond in the court in this regard.

"As General Elections are slated for next year, the ruling party has started dirty politics to retain power. However, whatever charge sheet is filed against us, we will answer that in the court. Lawfully, we were allotted the land and the money obtained after its re-allotment was deposited back," he told ANI.

Echoing similar sentiments, Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi said: "As polls approach, the government indulges in such acts. Five years are about to get over. They are in power but do they have any evidence. Their (Centre's) only aim is to use such tools as per their convenience during the polls."

Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Sitaram Yechury also alleged that institutions that require independence are being "utilised" by the Centre. "We've been seeing the way these cases are going against opposition leaders, happening in Andhra Pradesh and everywhere else now. All these institutions (referring to CBI), which require to be independent are being utilised in this way," he said.