Singh has denounced the case as a politically motivated conspiracy by the BJP government. (Image: File)
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Gurugram has filed a chargesheet against a prominent political figure, escalating a long-dormant case into a major political firestorm. The accused, Rao Narendra Singh, the current president of the Haryana Congress and a former health minister, is currently facing official charges in court for allegedly demanding a large bribe in exchange for approving a Change of Land Use (CLU) more than ten years ago.
The case dates back to 2013, when Rao Narendra Singh was the Health Minister. According to the ACB's chargesheet, he allegedly demanded a bribe of ₹30 to ₹50 crore from a man named Dharmendra Kuhad. This money was reportedly in exchange for facilitating the CLU for 30 acres of land in Palwal. The CLU process is a crucial administrative step that can dramatically increase the value of agricultural land by permitting its use for commercial or industrial purposes. He has now been charged by the ACB under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, which addresses bribery by public officers.
The case hinges on a sting operation conducted by the complainant. After the alleged demand was made, Dharmendra Kuhad secretly recorded his conversations with the minister. He then handed over these audio and video recordings to INLD MLA Rampal Majra. In 2014, a formal complaint was submitted to the anti-corruption ombudsman, the Haryana Lokayukta. IPS officer V Kamraj was given the task of conducting the probe, and the Lokayukta recommended filing a formal complaint after reviewing his final report in 2015. The current chargesheet presented in the Narnaul court is the result of the ACB's ongoing investigation into a case that was launched in 2016.
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Rao Narendra Singh has vehemently denied the charges, framing the legal action as a political attack. When contacted, he stated, “This entire matter is nothing more than a political conspiracy. Reviving a case that had remained pending and inactive for the past 12 years clearly reflects the BJP’s frustration and vindictive politics.” He claimed that the ruling BJP was panicked by the Congress's growing strength and discipline. Asserting his faith in the judiciary, Singh said, “We have full faith in the Hon’ble Court and will continue to work with the same courage and commitment for the people.” The next hearing is set for November 10, where he must appear before the court.
