The Punjab and Haryana High Court on November 7, 2025, dismissed a plea from former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda. Mr. Hooda had sought to challenge an order from the Panchkula CBI court, which rejected his application to postpone trial proceedings in the Manesar land deal case.
The case stems from an August 2015 FIR related to the alleged dropping of land acquisition proceedings by the state government, with investigations subsequently transferred to the CBI in September 2015. Mr. Hooda, who served as Chief Minister from 2005 to 2014, had requested the quashing of the CBI court's September 19 order, which had set a date of October 30 for the process of framing charges. High Court Justice Tribhuvan Dahiya ruled that a stay of trial against co-accused individuals did not constitute a valid ground for postponing Mr. Hooda's trial, emphasizing that charges could still be framed and evidence recorded. The court further noted that Mr. Hooda faces charges beyond just conspiracy, including other offences under the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act, in connection with alleged corruption in Manesar land deals valued at over ₹1,500 crore, reportedly affecting approximately 200 farmers.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/haryana/high-court-dismisses-haryana-ex-cm-hoodas-plea-for-postponing-trial-proceedings-in-manesar-land-deal-case/article70253056.ece