CBI files case against Gurugram Ambience Mall builders over 'illegal' use of land

The agency also conducted raids on premises of the accused, including the directors of the Ambience Group, at four locations in Delhi and Haryana.

CBI on Monday registered a case in connection with the alleged illegal construction of the Gurgaon Ambience shopping mall in Haryana on land originally allotted for a housing project. The agency has also carried out raids on the premises of the accused, including the directors of the Ambience Group, at four locations in Delhi and Haryana.

The case was registered almost a month after the Punjab and Haryana High Court ordered the CBI to investigate the alleged illegal construction of a shopping center adjacent to the Delhi-Jaipur National Highway.

CBI was required to file a First Information Report (FIR) within six weeks from July 10, submit a case report, in a sealed cover within three months, and complete investigations within six months.

The High Court's order was passed after public interest litigation (PIL) alleging that of the 18.98 acres allotted for a housing project in Gurgaon's Nathurpur village, only 7.9 acres were used for residential complexes.

PIL claimed that the rest had been used to build the Ambiance Mall and other commercial buildings, in a blatant violation of the rules that occurred with the help of government officials.

The builder, who has promised residential complex with reservation of around 80 percent for open and community services, had previously earlier moved an application request for delicensing eight of the 18.98 acres and apply for an additional permit to erect a commercial complex.

On hearing in the case, the High Court directed the quashing of orders allocating the land for commercial projects and asked the state government "to take the necessary consequential  measures immediately."

The court also said that there is a possibility that the builder acting in collusion with the relevant authorities.

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