High Court–mandated investigation may trigger action against officials and large-scale demolitions.

ACB Nears Completion of Probe into 2,600 Illegal Colonies in Haryana.

The Haryana State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) is close to completing a major investigation into around 2,600 illegal colonies across the state. The probe, ordered by the Punjab and Haryana High Court, is examining alleged collusion between private developers and government officials from urban local bodies, town and country planning (TCP), and revenue departments. HSVACB Director General A S Chawia said the inquiry is being conducted strictly as per court guidelines and is now at an advanced stage, with the final report to be submitted directly to the court. The investigation aims to identify officials who allegedly facilitated unauthorised housing, institutional, and industrial developments on agricultural land without mandatory change-of-land-use (CLU) permissions or no-objection certificates. The probe has been divided across four vigilance ranges, each supervised by SP-rank officers and supported by technical experts. The findings could lead to disciplinary action and possible demolitions of illegal structures, many of which reportedly came up during the COVID period.