The Punjab and Haryana High Court has dismissed the plea of a former Haryana IAS officer ML Tayal, an accused in the Manesar land acquisition case, for quashing of an FIR against him by the CBI.

Tayal, in his petition, had sought quashing of the cognizance order passed by the trial court against him. His counsel argued that as the Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, he had no independent powers of his own. The Bench was told he was only required to “assist” the CM in the disposal of the work.

The FIR was registered by the CBI in September 2015. The CBI had subsequently submitted a charge sheet in connection with the matter.

Tayal’s counsel has also argued that the CBI had filed the charge sheet without obtaining the sanction to prosecute. He referred to the amendment to the Prevention of Corruption Act from July 26, 2018, that necessitated a previous sanction for prosecuting a government officer who had retired from service.

However, the HC refused to be swayed by these arguments and dismissed the plea.