Overview
- Justice Tribhuvan Dahiya dismissed Bhupinder Singh Hooda’s plea to postpone proceedings, allowing the special CBI court to proceed with framing charges.
- The judge noted Hooda did not challenge a 2020 order refusing to discharge him, which means the trial must advance against him independently.
- While the Supreme Court has stayed proceedings for four former IAS officers, the High Court held charges can still be framed and evidence recorded against the remaining accused.
- The CBI opened its probe in 2015 following Supreme Court directions and filed a detailed chargesheet in 2018 naming 34 accused, including Hooda.
- Investigators allege a 2004–2007 acquisition-and-release sequence around Manesar enabled undue gains for builders and caused about ₹1,500 crore in losses to landowners.