Former Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda questioned by CBI in land scam case

Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda was questioned on Monday by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with Manesar Land Scam case in Chandigarh.

The CBI had registered the case in September 2015 on allegations that private builders, in conspiracy with unidentified public servants of the Haryana government, had bought around 400 acres of land from farmers and land-owners of Manesar, Naurangpur and Gurgaon at throwaway prices.

The government had initially issued land acquisition notification to acquire the land for government purposes for a model industrial township. The land was subsequently purchased by private builders at a price lower than the existing market price by allegedly instilling apprehensions among farmers that they would get lower compensation as the government was considering purchasing the land. However, soon after the land was sold, the government withdrew the notifications. The CBI had also conducted raids at Hooda's residence in connection with the case in Panchkula last year.

Hooda was also recently questioned by the CBI on May 8 in connection with alleged irregularities in the allotment of industrial plots in Panchkula, during his term as the Chairman of the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA).