Big case of corruption, absolutely no way to escape: Haryana minister Anil Vij on AJL scam

Bhartiya Janata Party leader and Haryana health minister Anil Vij on 17 December dubbed the Associate Journal Limited (AJL) scam as a big case of corruption.

"It is a big case of corruption, and there is absolutely no way for escape. CBI probe will tell what is ahead," Vij said.

Vij's statement came a day after the Haryana government transferred the investigation into the AJL scam to Central Bureau Investigation (CBI).

The Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar had earlier on Friday confirmed that the case into the re-allotment of an institutional plot to AJL, the company that owns National Herald, has been given to the CBI for a "complete and in-depth probe."

This is the third case against former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda in which a CBI probe has been recommended.

In 2005, Hooda-led Congress government had re-allotted the plot in Panchkula to AJL allegedly in violation of rules. The plot was first allotted to AJL in 1982. CM Hooda, allotted the 3,360 square metre plot at the old rate of Rs 59 lakh less than the current market price of the plot which is Rs 22 crore.

Hooda and the officers had allegedly recommended the re-allotment of the plot to AJL in violation of rules and bylaws. Hooda, has however, been claiming that everything was done in accordance to the rules. According to Hooda, the government can give directions to Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA).

A case under Sections 409 (criminal breach of trust by a public servant), 420 (cheating) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of IPC and Section 23 of the Prevention of Corruption Act was registered against Hooda, who was the ex-officio chairman of HUDA, as well as two financial commissioners, chief administrator and administrator of the authority.

In May, CBI had registered a case against Hooda for alleged irregularities in allocation of industrial plots at Panchkula.

-ANI