CBI submits sealed report to HC on Bathinda land row

The CBI on Tuesday submitted to the Punjab and Haryana High Court a status report, in a sealed cover, of its probe into allegations that the Punjab government had helped three families to earn around Rs 5.63 crore by acquiring their land in Bathinda district.

While the Punjab government counsel and others sought the report, CBI counsel Sumeet Goel submitted before a division bench, comprising Chief Justice Arjan Kumar Sikri and Justice Rakesh Kumar Jain, that the investigations would be prejudiced if the report was handed to the others. Considering the plea, the bench adjourned the hearing of the case for February 28.

Jarnail Singh and three other residents of Mandi Khurd village in Bathinda had filed the petition alleging that the state government had ignored suitable land held by the Bathinda Municipal Corporation (MC), and a chunk of barren land, among others and instead acquired the 36.81 acres it needed for a 'Engineered Sanitary Landfill Facility' from three 'influential' families, particularly one Yadwinder Singh.

The petitioners have claimed that while a survey, for the project, was conducted on February 10, 2010, Yadwinder Singh and two other families bought the concerned land on February 18 and 23 at a price of Rs 1.59 crore. On February 25, 2010, a report was sent to Principal Secretary stating the land was appropriate for the purpose.

The petitioners alleged that the state government then acquired the land for Rs 8.67 crore. The petitioner had also placed reliance on a news-report mentioning Yadwinder Singh as the district president of the Ludhiana Youth Akali Dal and a close associate of Cabinet Minister Bikram Singh Majithia.

ALSO READ

Punjab theatres cancel 'Shootout at Wadala' shows

Rail traffic hit due to protests over Sajjan's acquittal

Family of 1971 POW awaits his return from Pak, fears for his life

Anti-Pakistan protests erupt in Sarabjit's native village