ED Seizes Hooda's Assets: Former Haryana CM Claims No Involvement

ED attaches properties worth 834 crore rupees in money laundering case against Bhupinder Singh Hooda and others, while the Congress leader maintains his innocence amidst upcoming Haryana elections.

Representational Image

August 30, 2024

In a significant development reported by The Haryana Story, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken major action against former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda. The investigating agency has attached properties worth 834 crore rupees in a money laundering case involving Hooda, EMAAR, MGF Developments Limited, and other accused parties.

The attached properties are spread across 20 villages in Gurugram and Delhi. This action comes at a crucial time as Haryana gears up for its upcoming assembly elections, potentially impacting the political landscape.

When asked about the ED's action, Hooda provided his first reaction while attending a Congress screening committee meeting. He stated, "This is an old case, and the FIR is also old. I have nothing to do with it." The veteran Congress leader's response indicates his attempt to distance himself from the allegations as the Haryana Elections draw near.

The case stems from an FIR filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against Hooda, the then Director of Town and Country Planning Trilok Chand Gupta, Messrs EMAAR MGF Land Limited, and 14 other colonizer companies. The allegations involve fraud against the government and the public, particularly related to land acquisition and allocation to two companies at low prices.

In 2009, the Haryana government had issued a notification under Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act 1894 for 1417.07 acres of land in Sectors 58 to 63 and Sectors 65 to 67 in Gurugram. The subsequent handling of this land forms the core of the current controversy.

BJP leader and former Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij commented on the situation, saying, "This ED case against Bhupinder Singh Hooda is a very big matter. This man has an ongoing case, and he's dreaming of becoming the Chief Minister!"

As The Haryana Story continues to follow this developing situation, the ED's action against Hooda is likely to have significant implications for the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections. The Congress party, already facing challenges, will need to carefully navigate this situation as they prepare their election strategy.