The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday filed a charge sheet against former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Congress senior leader Moti Lal Vora. The case in which the leaders have been chargesheeted are the case of Panchkula land allotment to Congress promoted Associated Journals Limited (AJL). The chargesheet has been filed before the special judge of PMLA, Panchkula.The chargesheet states that Bhoopinder Singh and Vora were directly involved in activity connected with acquisition, possession or projection that resulted in irregularities. They alleged irregularities and money laundering case is  related to C-17, Sector-6 in Panchkula, by the Hooda government in 1992 to the AJL.

The ED has attached the property and the PMLA ordered confirmation of the attachments.The money laundering case pertains to alleged irregularities in the allotment of a plot, located at C-17, Sector-6 in Panchkula, by the Hooda government in 1992 to the AJL. AJL is controlled by senior Congress leaders, including members of the Gandhi family. The group runs the National Herald newspaper. The ED has already attached the plot, under the PMLA, estimated to be valued at Rs 64.93 crore. "Hooda favoured the AJL by granting them three undue extensions for construction in the said plot from May, 2008-May 10, 2012 until the AJL completed the construction in the year 2014," the ED said in a statement.

Big Blow to Gandhis: ED permanently attaches properties worth Rs 64 crore in National Herald Case

The agency charged that Hooda allotted the pot to AJL by "blatantly misusing his official position". The former Haryana chief minister, it alleged, "dishonestly allotted the said plot afresh in the guise of re-allotment to the AJL at original rates plus interest in violation of necessary conditions and policy of HUDA (Haryana Urban Development Authority) vide order dated August 28, 2005."  The ED filed a criminal complaint of money laundering in this case in 2016 based on a CBI FIR, which had taken over investigation into the case at the request of the BJP government of Haryana, and criminal FIRs filed by the Haryana vigilance bureau.

The Central Bureau of Investigation has already filed a charge sheet against Hooda and others in this case. The plot was allotted to AJL first in 1982. But the allotment was revoked by the estate officer of the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) by an order in October, 1992 as AJL did not comply with the conditions of allotment letter, the ED said. The agency had questioned the two Congress leaders in this case last year.

Bhupinder Singh Hooda to follow up on massive 'Congress has lost its way' dissatisfaction, details here

Hooda slams Congress on Kashmir issue

Meanwhile on August 19, supporting the Modi government's move to abrogate article 370, Hooda said he would not compromise on patriotism and self-respect while addressing an election campaign rally in Haryana. "I was born in a patriotic family, those who oppose (abrogation of #Article370), I want to tell them "usulon par jahan aanch aaye, vahan takrana zaruri hai, jo zinda hai to zinda dikhna zaruri hai". "When the government does something right I support them. Many of my colleagues opposed the decision to abrogate Article370, my party has lost its way, it's not the same Congress it used to be. When it comes to patriotism & self-respect, I'll not compromise with anyone," he added backing the government. He also stated that Haryana has given many soldiers for the Indian Army while saying that the BJP Haryana government should not hide behind the Kashmir debate while campaigning for the upcoming elections.  

READ: BJP's Amit Malviya speculates rift between former Haryana CM BS Hooda and Congress over Article 370 abrogation

Haryana Legislative Assembly Elections

Haryana is set to go to polls on November 2019. The current Manohar Lal Khattar-led BJP government holds a single-party majority of 47 seats in the  90 seat Legislative Assembly. The opposition comprising of Congress, Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Independent members hold 27 seats. The current Assembly will expire on 2 November 2019.

READ: Former Haryana CM Bhupinder Hooda slams Cong leaders for opposing Article 370 revocation, says 'no compromise on patriotism'

(with PTI inputs)