Abhay seeks action against ex-CMHooda

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 3

Leader of the Opposition Abhay Chautala today shot off a letter to Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, demanding action against former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and directors of Associated Journals Limited (AJL), promoters of National Herald, for their role in the re-allotment of a plot to AJL in Panchkula, near here.

Basing his letter on media reports, Chautala alleged that a plot measuring 3,360 square metres was re-allotted to AJL in a ‘questionable’ manner’. “The plot was allotted to AJL in 1982 but after the company failed to make use of the land, it was resumed in 1996. However, when the Congress was voted to power in 2005, Hooda initiated the process of restoring the plot to AJL on a representation made by an AJL trustees,” the letter asserted.

“It is evident from the newspaper reports that the then Chief Minister was advised by the administration and Legal Remembrancer (LR) that there was no legal provision for such a re-allotment. However, if the provisions permit, it can only be allotted afresh at the prevalent market rates. In view of the above facts, a prima facie offence is made out against persons associated with the re-allotment of the plot,” Abhay Chautala alleged.