What governments did, and what it cost the country

What was done

The three MPs placed the cash on the Table of the House on 22 July 2008. The Speaker set up a seven-member committee, headed by V. Kishore Chandra Deo, on 26 July 2008. It found the material did not prove who sent the money and asked investigating agencies to look at three people. The Delhi Police filed a charge sheet in August 2011, after the Supreme Court said its inquiry was half-hearted. In November 2013 a special court discharged (released without trial) six accused and framed charges against one under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

What it meant for the country

Cash was shown in Parliament during a confidence vote, but no inquiry or court found out who sent it. The police case ended mostly in discharges, and no Congress member was charged.

• The source of the cash shown in Parliament was never traced. The court said efforts to follow the money had failed. [1][11]
• The Supreme Court found that the police did little for about three years, until the court stepped in. [6]
• Amar Singh and others spent time in jail in 2011. In 2013 all but one were discharged without trial. [8][9][11]
• No Congress member was charged by the police. The committee found no evidence against Ahmed Patel, and the Prime Minister denied any unlawful act by the Congress. [4][7][2]

Step by step

1. 2008-07-22
   During the confidence vote debate, three BJP MPs show bundles of cash in the Lok Sabha. The government wins the vote by 275 to 256. [1][2]
2. 2008-07-26
   The Speaker appoints a seven-member committee of MPs to inquire. [1]
3. 2008-12-15
   The committee's report is placed in the Lok Sabha. It clears Amar Singh and Ahmed Patel and asks for further inquiry into three others. [1][4]
4. 2011-03-17
   The Hindu publishes a US embassy cable from WikiLeaks claiming a Congress aide showed a US diplomat cash meant for MPs. Satish Sharma of the Congress says he had no such aide. [5]
5. 2011-03-18
   The Prime Minister tells the Lok Sabha the government cannot confirm the cables and rejects the bribery claim. [2][3]
6. 2011-08-05
   The Supreme Court criticises the Delhi Police for a slow inquiry and orders it finished in three weeks. [6]
7. 2011-08-24
   The Delhi Police file a charge sheet against Amar Singh, Sanjeev Saxena, two former BJP MPs, Sudheendra Kulkarni and Sohail Hindustani. A charge sheet is an accusation, not a finding of guilt. [7]
8. 2011-09-06
   Amar Singh, by then expelled from the Samajwadi Party, is arrested and sent to judicial custody by a Delhi court. [8]
9. 2013-11-22
   A special court discharges six accused and sends only Sanjeev Saxena for trial. Rewati Raman Singh of the Samajwadi Party was no longer an accused by then, because the Delhi High Court had quashed the order making him one. [11][10]
10. 2014-02-05
    The Delhi government decides to challenge the special court's order in the High Court, as reported by Deccan Herald. [12]

The documents

1. [1] Speaker's observation regarding the report of the committee on the alleged offer of money to members in connection with the Motion of Confidence (report laid 15 December 2008) Parliament, Lok Sabha (Digital Library of Parliament)
2. [2] Lok Sabha Debates, 18 March 2011: Statement by the Prime Minister on newspaper report on payment of cash for votes Parliament, Lok Sabha (Digital Library of Parliament)
3. [3] Discussion on the statement made by the Prime Minister on 18 March 2011 regarding cash for votes Parliament, Lok Sabha (Digital Library of Parliament)
4. [4] Cash-for-votes panel report (16 December 2008, Nation page) Press, The Tribune
5. [5] Cash-for-votes scam rocks the Parliament (report of 17 March 2011) Press, Gulf Times
6. [6] Supreme Court criticises Delhi Police inquiry in cash-for-vote case (report of 5 August 2011) Press, Deccan Herald
7. [7] Cash-for-vote Scam: Delhi Police chargesheets Amar Singh (25 August 2011) Press, The Tribune
8. [8] Amar Singh arrested in cash-for-vote scam (7 September 2011) Press, The Tribune
9. [9] Cash-for-vote case: Kulkarni and four others released on bail (report of 17 November 2011) Press, Deccan Herald
10. [10] 2008 cash-scam: Court reserves order on framing of charges (3 October 2013) Press, Business Standard / PTI
11. [11] Amar Singh, BJP MPs discharged in cash-for-vote case (IANS report of 22 November 2013) Press, Ummid.com / IANS
12. [12] AAP strikes again: govt to reopen cash-for-vote case (5 February 2014) Press, Deccan Herald

Compiled from the documents cited, 9 Oct 2026

What was done

The record shows the land was bought for ₹7.5 crore and sold for ₹58 crore. A Delhi court accepted the ED's charge sheet on 15 April 2026 and gave Vadra bail on 16 May 2026. The ED alleges the ₹58 crore is money from a crime; this has not yet been tested in a trial. A charge sheet is an accusation, not a finding of guilt.

What it meant for the country

An audit report criticised the permission and the ED alleges laundering of ₹58 crore, but no court has decided whether any law was broken.

• The auditor said the company made a ₹50.5 crore profit and the state collected no share of it for the public treasury. [3]
• 43 properties said to be worth ₹37.64 crore are frozen by the ED, so they cannot be sold while the case goes on. [4]
• The matter has run for more than 13 years, from the 2012 order on the land records to a court case that had not reached trial by mid-2026. [7][11]

Step by step

1. 2008-02
   Skylight Hospitality buys about 3.5 acres in Shikohpur for ₹7.5 crore. [6][16]
2. 2012
   The land is sold to DLF for ₹58 crore. In October, IAS officer Ashok Khemka cancels the change of the owner's name in the land records. [7]
3. 2015-03-25
   The CAG audit report is placed in the Haryana Assembly. In May the new BJP state government sets up the Justice Dhingra Commission. [3][16]
4. 2018-09-01
   Haryana Police register a case (an FIR) in Gurugram for cheating, forgery and conspiracy. [13]
5. 2019-01-10
   The High Court says the state was entitled to set up the Dhingra Commission, but sets aside its report. [1][2]
6. 2023-04
   Haryana tells the High Court that a revenue officer found no rule was broken in the Skylight–DLF transfer. The police inquiry continues. [12][13]
7. 2025-07-17
   After questioning Vadra in April 2025, the ED files its charge sheet against 11 accused. [4][8]
8. 2026-04-15
   A special court in Delhi formally accepts the charge sheet and calls Vadra and eight others to appear. One accused is not called, for lack of material. [7][8]
9. 2026-05-16
   Vadra appears in court and is given bail. Two days later he withdraws his Delhi High Court challenge to the court's summons. [9][10]
10. 2026-07-10
    The ED tells the court that the role of DLF is still being investigated. The trial has not begun. [11]

The documents

1. [1] Bhupinder Singh Hooda v. State of Haryana, judgment of 10 January 2019 Court, Punjab and Haryana High Court (via Indian Kanoon)
2. [2] Relief for Hooda: HC quashes Dhingra report Press, The Tribune
3. [3] Full CAG report: Robert Vadra's Skylight Hospitality given 'undue favours' Press, India.com
4. [4] ED files charge sheet against Robert Vadra in Shikohpur land deal case Press, PTI via ThePrint
5. [5] Robert Vadra received Rs 58 crore as proceeds of crime: ED to Special Court Press, All India Radio News
6. [6] Delhi court defers hearing on ED's prosecution complaint against Robert Vadra and others Press, All India Radio News
7. [7] Delhi court takes cognisance of ED chargesheet against Robert Vadra Press, The Tribune
8. [8] Delhi court takes cognisance of ED chargesheet against Robert Vadra in Haryana land deal case Press, PTI via ThePrint
9. [9] Delhi court grants bail to Robert Vadra in Shikohpur land deal money laundering case Press, India TV
10. [10] Robert Vadra withdraws plea before Delhi High Court against summons in Shikohpur land deal case Press, Bar and Bench
11. [11] ED files status report in Robert Vadra money laundering case, tells Delhi court role of DLF being investigated Press, Prameya News (agency copy)
12. [12] No violation found in Vadra-DLF deal: Haryana tells High Court Press, The Tribune
13. [13] 5 yrs after FIR, Haryana Police say 'no violations' in Vadra-DLF land deal. But no 'clean chit' yet for Hooda Press, ThePrint
14. [14] ED files money laundering chargesheet against Robert Vadra (Sanjay Bhandari case) Press, All India Radio News
15. [15] Robert Vadra land deal: HC rejects plea to quash case, allows interim protection from arrest Press, The Tribune
16. [16] All you need to know about Robert Vadra's Haryana land deal Press, Business Standard

Compiled from the documents cited, 30 Sept 2026

What was done

The central government appointed Justice Liberhan on 16 December 1992 to inquire into the demolition. He submitted a report on 30 June 2009. The government laid the report and a memorandum of action taken before Parliament on 24 November 2009, and both Houses discussed it on 7 and 8 December 2009. The report made findings that the demolition was planned and that large sums were spent, but no punitive action from the report is recorded in the sources.

What it meant for the country

The record shows the demolition of a place of worship, communal riots, destruction of minority homes, and spending of tens of crores of rupees on the events, with no punishment recorded.

• The demolition of the Babri Masjid was followed by communal riots in the country, as stated in Lok Sabha on 6 December 1999. [7]
• The report found that amounts transacted exceeded many tens of crores of rupees and were used for effecting the events of 6 December 1992. [10]
• Members said the secular fabric of the country was demolished on 6 December 1992. [2]
• A member told Lok Sabha that dwellings of the minority community in the area were raided and all tenements of Muslims were destroyed. [1]

Step by step

1. 1992-12-06
   The Babri Masjid structure in Ayodhya was demolished. [2][3]
2. 1992-12-16
   The Central Government appointed Justice Manmohan Singh Liberhan, a sitting judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, as a one-man Commission of Inquiry into the destruction, under the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952. [3][10]
3. 1993-06-11
   The Commission issued a notification calling on persons acquainted with facts to furnish information and affidavits. [3]
4. 2005-12-13
   In Lok Sabha, members said the Commission's term was expiring on 30 December and asked the government to file an affidavit before the Commission. [4]
5. 2009-06-30
   The Commission submitted its report to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, 16 years after being set up. As reported by The Hindu, the report concluded that the demolition was planned and not spontaneous, and that amounts transacted exceeded many tens of crores of rupees which were utilised for effecting the events of 6 December 1992. [5][9][10]
6. 2009-11-23
   Home Minister P. Chidambaram told Lok Sabha that the report had been submitted on 30 June 2009, that only one copy was with the Ministry of Home Affairs, and that the government would lay it with an Action Taken Report in the current session. [5]
7. 2009-11-24
   The report and the Memorandum of Action Taken by the Government were laid on the Table of the Lok Sabha. [1][9]
8. 2009-12-01
   Lok Sabha discussed the absence of a Hindi version of the report; the Minister said the House had exempted laying the Hindi version the day after the report was presented. [6]
9. 2009-12-07
   Lok Sabha discussed the report and the Action Taken Report; members said the report was not comprehensive and omitted the role of the central government, and quoted the report's finding that the demolition was meticulously organized. [1]
10. 2009-12-08
    Further discussion in Lok Sabha; members quoted the report as saying leaders such as Mulayam Singh and Kalyan Singh stated in the press about knowledge of the conspiracy but denied it on oath before the Commission. [2]

The documents

1. [1] Discussion On The Report Of The Liberhan Ayodhya Commission ... Court, indiankanoon.org
2. [2] Further Discussion On The Report Of The Liberhan Ayodhya ... Court, indiankanoon.org
3. [3] Prabhat Kumar vs The Liberhan Ayodhya Commission Of ... on 1 ... Court, indiankanoon.org
4. [4] Demolition Of Babri Masjid And Findings Of The Liberhan ... Court, indiankanoon.org
5. [5] Regarding Reported Leakage Of Librehan Commission Report. on ... Court, indiankanoon.org
6. [6] Regarding Hindi Version Of Liberhan Commission Report. on 1 ... Court, indiankanoon.org
7. [7] Regarding Trial Of Accused In The Babri Masjid Demolition ... Court, indiankanoon.org
8. [8] Adjourment Motion To Discuss The Issue Of Babri Masjid ... Court, indiankanoon.org
9. [9] Report of the Liberhan Ayodhya Commission of Inquiry - Full ... Press, thehindu.com
10. [10] Babri Masjid demolition | Key conclusions by Liberhan ... Press, thehindu.com

Compiled from the documents cited, 12 Oct 2026

What was done

The CBI registered a regular case on 29.1.2011 and charge-sheeted 12 accused, including Ashok Chavan as accused No.11. The Special Judge dropped the charges against Chavan for lack of sanction under Section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The Bombay High Court dismissed the CBI's revision on 19.11.2014. After Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao granted sanction in February 2016, Chavan challenged it, and the Bombay High Court quashed the sanction on 22 December 2017.

What it meant for the country

The record indicates harm: a judicial commission reported 22 benami transactions and no environmental clearances in the Adarsh society, and government land in Army possession was allegedly allotted to the society, while the prosecution of Ashok Chavan ended without a finding.

• The Adarsh commission's report, as reported, revealed 22 benami transactions and that the society never sought environmental clearances. [12]
• The Ministry of Environment directed demolition of the illegally constructed building in 2011 due to CRZ violations, but the Bombay High Court stayed the demolition. [11]
• Government land admeasuring about 3758 sq.mtrs in Block-VI at Colaba, Mumbai, in possession of the Army and used as 'Khukri Park', was allegedly allotted to the society through a conspiracy. [1]
• Ashok Chavan resigned as Chief Minister but has not been convicted. [11]

Step by step

1. 2010-11-15
   CBI registered a Preliminary Enquiry into alleged irregularities in the allotment of land to Adarsh Cooperative Housing Society, Mumbai. [9]
2. 2011-01-29
   CBI registered a regular case against 13 accused under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. [9]
3. 2013-12
   The Adarsh commission submitted its final report; as reported, the report was tabled in the Maharashtra Assembly in December 2013 and revealed 22 benami transactions and that the society never sought environmental clearances. [7][12]
4. 2014-11-19
   The Bombay High Court dismissed the CBI's criminal revision application against the Special Judge's order dropping charges against Ashok Chavan for lack of sanction under Section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. [1][4]
5. 2016-02
   Maharashtra Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao granted sanction to the CBI to prosecute Ashok Chavan. [13]
6. 2017-09-23
   The Bombay High Court refused relief to Ashok Chavan and upheld the trial court's order disallowing the CBI from deleting his name from the Adarsh charge sheet. [6]
7. 2017-12-22
   The Bombay High Court quashed and set aside the Governor's sanction granted to the CBI to prosecute Ashok Chavan. [13][14]

The documents

1. [1] Bombay High Court Dismisses CBI Revision Against Dropping of Charges ... Court, lawtext.in
2. [2] Adarsh Society case: Bombay High Court reserves order on Ashok Chavan's ... Press, newindianexpress.com
3. [3] Bombay HC dismisses Ashok Chavan's plea to drop his name from Adarsh case Web, dnaindia.com
4. [4] Bombay High Court Dismisses CBI Revision Against Dropping of Charges ... Court, lawtext.in
5. [5] Adarsh housing society case: Bombay HC reserves order on Ashok Chavan's ... Press, indianexpress.com
6. [6] HC refuses to give relief for Chavan - The Hindu Press, thehindu.com
7. [7] Adarsh commission submits final report on Adarsh Housing Society scam ... Press, economictimes.indiatimes.com
8. [8] Adarsh Scam | 12 Years Later, Court Yet To Acknowledge Chargesheet ... Web, lawchakra.in
9. [9] PDF GOVERNMENT OF INDIA - sansad.in Parliament, sansad.in
10. [10] Adarsh Co-Optv Housing Society Ltd. vs Union Of India . on 3 March, 2014 Court, indiankanoon.org
11. [11] Adarsh Housing Society ScamCase: CBI v. Ashok Chavan & Others Web, lawfullegal.in
12. [12] Adarsh Housing Society scandal - Wikipedia Web, en.wikipedia.org
13. [13] HC order reaffirms my faith in judiciary: Ashok Chavan Press, newindianexpress.com
14. [14] Adarsh scam: Relief for Congress leader Ashok Chavan in Adarsh housing ... Web, mumbaimirror.com

Compiled from the documents cited, 30 Sept 2026