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Punjab & Haryana High Court Quashes Charges Against Hooda and AJL in Panchkula Plot Case

The judge said the CBI’s case lacked a prima facie basis, calling further trial an abuse of process.

Overview

  • The bench ruled on February 25, 2026 that the record did not disclose even a prima facie case of conspiracy, cheating or corruption against Bhupinder Singh Hooda or Associated Journals Limited.
  • It set aside the Special CBI Court’s April 16, 2021 order framing charges and quashed all subsequent proceedings, resulting in the discharge of the petitioners.
  • The court noted the 2005 re-allotment was unanimously ratified by HUDA in 2006, AJL paid the re-allotment price and extension fee, completed construction, and obtained an occupation certificate in 2014.
  • Government auditors had dropped objections about any financial loss, and the judge described the CBI’s loss claim as “fictional,” with no grievance raised by the authority or demand for compensation.
  • Rebuking the investigation, the court pointed out the FIR was based on a source report and faulted the CBI for unilaterally terming the re-allotment unlawful, even as the agency had alleged allotment at 1982 rates.