CBI books Hooda in land allocation case, raids 20 places in Delhi, Haryana, Punjab (Third Lead)

The CBI on Friday registered a fresh case against former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and several others in connection with the alleged irregularities in allotting over 1,417 acres of land during 2009-12 in Gurugram and carried out raids at over 20 places in Haryana, Delhi and Punjab, including his residence.

Apart from Hooda, the agency booked Trilok Chand Gupta, the then Chief Administrator, HUDA and Director of the Urban Estate Town and Country Planning, and others, including 15 private builders, on charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating, pecuniary advantage and criminal misconduct, on January 23.

The investigation agency booked realty firms -- DLF New Gurgaon Homes Developers Pvt Ltd, HS Realty Pvt Ltd, DSS Infrastructure Pvt Ltd, Sana Realtors Pvt Ltd, Gupta Promoters Pvt Ltd, Ansal Properties Pvt Ltd, JMD Ltd, Emaar MGF Land Ltd, Krish Buildtech Pvt Ltd (now Brahma City Pvt Ltd), Buzz Hotels Pvt Ltd, SU Estates Pvt Ltd, Commander Realtors Pvt Ltd, Marconi Infratech Pvt Ltd, Martial Buildcon Pvt Ltd and RS Infrastructure Pvt Ltd -- through their managing directors.

An agency official said the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered the case based on November 1, 2017 orders of the Supreme Court to investigate the acquisition process of over 1,417 acres of land between 2009 and 2012 in Gurugram's Sector 58 to 63 and Sector 65 to 67.

Raids were being carried out since Friday morning at over 20 locations, including the DLF office in Gurugram and offices of other builders, and in Chandigarh, Rohtak, New Delhi and Mohali, besides Hooda's residence in Rohtak.

Hooda was expected to address a rally in Haryana's Jind city later Friday in support of Congress candidate Randeep Singh Surjewala.

The official said the agency had earlier registered a preliminary enquiry to probe the allegations. However, it remained tightlipped on more details about the case.

The CBI had recently received a go-ahead to file a chargesheet against Hooda in connection with the case.

The former Chief Minister also faces allegations of using his influence to allot a plot for Associated Journal Ltd (AJL), the parent company of the National Herald newspaper.

--IANS

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