Former chief minister of Haryana Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Thursday demanded that the Manohar Lal Khattar government make public the report submitted by the Justice SN Dhingra Commission on dubious land deals in the state, PTI reported. Hooda was interrogated in the case on allegations that he had given a few private companies, including businessman Robert Vadra's Sky Light Hospitality Ltd, undue advantages in procuring licences for the development of four sectors in Gurugram.
Hooda accused the Bharatiya Janata Party government in the state of "sensationalising facts" and "witch-hunting" and that contents of the report were being "selectively leaked to the media". The one-man panel found irregularities in 250 cases it investigated regarding land deals in Haryana, including one involving Vadra, who is Congress President Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law. The licences for the plots were granted during the Congress' term in the state from 2004 to 2014.
The two-time chief minister, however, emphasised that the irregularities Dhingra found did not "necessarily mean there was any illegality" in the deals. "There was no question of extending any favour. There was no overnight clearance given for anything," he said, adding that the allegations were all "politically motivated".
Justice Dhingra said after he submitted the 182-page report that it included details of "irregularities in grant of license and the persons who benefited from it". The BJP government in the state had appointed the panel last year to look into the land deals.
Vadra's involvement in the case is related to his alleged purchase of a 3.5-acre plot in 2008 for Rs 7.5 crore and its sale three months later to real estate firm DLF for Rs 58 crore. His transfer of licence to DLF had supposedly been illegal and cost the state a huge loss of revenue. Both Vadra and DLF denied all claims.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!