CBI Court to Reopen ₹1,600 Crore Land Scam Case — Hooda Faces Renewed Legal Heat

Haryana(The Uttam Hindu): Former Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda’s legal troubles are far from over. The Punjab and Haryana High Court has lifted the stay on the Manesar land scam trial, paving the way for proceedings to resume in Panchkula’s CBI special court after nearly four years. Hooda, along with 33 others—including officials and builders—had already been charge-sheeted by the CBI. In 2019, the agency submitted an 80,000-page charge sheet, transported to court by truck.

The scam dates back to 2004, when land meant for an industrial township in Manesar and nearby villages was allegedly acquired through manipulation and fear-mongering. Farmers were forced to sell around 400 acres at throwaway prices, while builders reaped massive profits—buying land worth ₹1,600 crore for just ₹100 crore.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had also filed a money laundering case against Hooda in 2016, following the CBI’s FIR. With the trial back on track, the heat is once again turning up on the former CM and his co-accused.