The Central Bureau of Investigation on Saturday filed a charge sheet against former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, as the then Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) Chairman, and others in connection with alleged irregularities in the re-allotment of a Panchkula plot to Associated Journals Limited (AJL).

Among those arraigned is veteran Congress leader Motilal Vora, as the then chairman of AJL, and the company.

The agency has invoked provisions of the Indian Penal Code, pertaining to cheating and criminal conspiracy, and the Prevention of Corruption Act.

"The case is related to alleged re-allotment of institutional plot No.C-17 in Sector-6 of Panchkula to AJL. Further investigation is continuing,  said an official.

The re-allotment was made in 2005 when Mr. Hooda, being the Chief Minister, chaired the HUDA.

According to the agency, the 3,500 square-metre plot was initially allotted to AJL in 1982 under the condition that the construction would start within six months and completed in two years. However, as alleged, the company failed to comply with the rules.

Therefore, the allotment was finally cancelled in 1996. Mr. Vora then filed appeals to reconsider the case. But, they were dismissed. The agency alleges that after Mr. Hooda came to power, he re-allotted the same plot to the company in October 2005, overlooking the rules.

Based on the CBI case, the Enforcement Directorate is also conducting a money laundering probe and has also recorded the statements of Mr. Hooda and Mr. Vora.