In a major relief to Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, a trial court in Mohali on Friday acquitted him and 17 others in a 10 year old corruption case involving a prime land transfer. The others acquitted included former Punjab Speaker Kewal Krishan and two former ministers -- all the three are now dead.

The case was registered by the state Vigilance Bureau on the recommendation of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, alleging a scam in granting exemptions to transfer of 32.1 acre prime land of the Amritsar Improvement Trust to a private realtor. Special Judge Jaswinder Singh ordered the discharge of all the accused while accepting a closure report filed by the Vigilance Bureau.