The Central Bureau of Investigation on Monday submitted its final status report to the Delhi High Court on its probe into a case of alleged graft, money laundering and disproportionate income against Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh. A preliminary enquiry was initiated on a complaint filed against Mr. Singh two years ago.
The status report was filed in a sealed cover before a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice G. Rohini and Justice R.S. Endlaw, which took it on record. The Court asked Mr. Singh to file his affidavit in this connection by Tuesday and posted the case for hearing arguments on September 10.
The status report was filed in compliance with the Court’s order of August 20 asking the premier investigating agency to reveal the status of preliminary inquiry launched against the octogenarian Chief Minister.
The matter has reached the High Court through a public interest writ petition moved by a non-government organisation, Common Cause, which has sought a Court-monitored investigation by the CBI and the Income Tax Department into the charges levelled against Mr. Singh. The allegations relate to Mr. Singh’s previous tenure as the Chief Minister and a Union Minister.
When Mr. Singh’s counsel sought the permission of the Bench to put forth arguments in the matter and challenged the maintainability of PIL, the Court said it could not entertain the response of a party without issuing notice.
The writ petition has alleged that Mr. Singh had filed revised income tax returns for three successive assessment years, from 2009 to 2011, to explain the money unaccounted for and had shown an increase in agricultural income to the tune of Rs.6.10 crore. The Income Tax Department has already submitted its report on Mr. Singh’s tax assessment to the Court.
The matter had led to an impasse in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly last month, with the Opposition demanding a discussion on the money laundering allegations against the Chief Minister.
