In a significant legal development related to the high-profile Manesar land scam, the Supreme Court of India has stayed the trial proceedings against former Haryana IAS officer Rajeev Arora. The stay was granted following a petition filed by Arora challenging his summoning by a special CBI court.
Background: Summoning and Legal Proceedings
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had filed a chargesheet in the case, invoking Sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy) and 420 (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code. On December 1, 2020, a special CBI court ordered the summoning of Rajeev Arora to stand trial.
Arora initially contested the summons in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which granted a temporary stay on December 14, 2020. However, on May 15, 2025, the High Court dismissed his revision petition, upholding the special court’s order as legally valid.
SC Intervenes After HC Rejection
Following the High Court’s decision, Arora approached the Supreme Court, which, on May 29, 2025, issued notice to the respondents and stayed proceedings against him until the next hearing. The interim order was passed by a bench led by Chief Justice BR Gavai.
Special CBI Court to Proceed Against Remaining Accused
In line with the Supreme Court’s direction, Special CBI Judge Rajeev Goyal on June 6, 2025, clarified that trial proceedings would continue against the remaining accused, excluding Rajeev Arora.
The court noted that arguments on the framing of charges are still pending for accused Dhare Singh, Kulwant Singh Lamba, and D.R. Dhingra. Defence counsel requested more time to prepare, and the court scheduled July 10, 2025 as the next date for arguments.
The judge also turned down a request by Senior Public Prosecutor Harsh Mohan Singh to begin framing charges against those already charge-sheeted, stating that it would not be appropriate to proceed piecemeal. A consolidated approach would be adopted after hearing all accused parties.
About the Manesar Land Scam
The Manesar land case involves allegations of fraudulent land acquisition by government officials and private individuals, leading to a multi-crore scam. Investigated by the CBI, the case has implicated several senior officials, including IAS officers, and continues to draw public and political scrutiny due to its scale and implications for governance in Haryana.
