Industrial plot allotment case: ‘Absconding’ accused Dagar Katyal declared PO

Amit Bathla

Tribune News Service

Panchkula, July 23

A special ED court here today declared accused Dagar Katyal a proclaimed offender in the industrial plot allotment case for “intentionally avoiding the process of the court”. Katyal didn’t appear before the court despite repeated non-bailable warrants issued against him.

The case

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The case pertains to alleged irregularities in the allocation of 14 industrial plots worth more than Rs 30 crore to former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda’s acquaintances in Panchkula in 2013.

The court in its order said, “Accused Dagar Katyal is intentionally and deliberately avoiding the process of law and thus, is absconding and that his presence can’t be secured through ordinary means of the process.”

The court also separated the trial of Katyal from the trial of other accused in the case.

As the Leader of Opposition in the Haryana Assembly and senior Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda is also an accused in the case, the court emphasised on expeditious disposal of the case.

“It would be expedient and in the largest interest of the justice to separate the proceedings of the case qua accused Dagar Katyal and to regulate the further course of proceedings in respect of remaining appearing accused in accordance with the law. Hence, to sub-serve the best interests of justice, it is hereby ordered to separate the case proceedings in respect of accused Dagar Katyal,” the court ordered.

The case pertains to alleged irregularities in the allocation of 14 industrial plots worth more than Rs 30 crore to former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda’s acquaintances in Panchkula in 2013.

To probe the alleged irregularities, the Haryana Vigilance Bureau had registered an FIR in 2015. Later, the case was transferred to the CBI, following which the CBI and the ED registered their respective cases.

As per the provisions of the PMLA, all 14 plots were attached.

In February this year, the ED had filed a chargesheet against 22 people, including Hooda, four retired IAS officers, and some others.