The Delhi High Court on Wednesday asked the Central Bureau of Investigation to file a fresh status report on its probe into a case of 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 order came on 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 the Union Minister.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice G. Rohini and Justice R. S. Endlaw directed the CBI to file the report, which would reveal the status of preliminary enquiry, by September 1, when the case will come up for further hearing. The Court has not issued notices in the case so far.
The Income Tax Department submitted its report on Mr. Singh's tax assessment in a sealed cover to the Court.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Mr. Singh, contended that the PIL appeared to be a “personal interest litigation”, making frivolous charges against Mr. Singh. He said the issue of alleged income tax violations had already been raised before the Himachal Pradesh High Court.
Common Cause counsel Prashant Bhushan and Additional Solicitor-General Sanjay Jain said the Court should first issue a notice before hearing the Chief Minister. Mr. Bhushan said this was an “open and shut case” of corruption that could result in Mr. Singh's conviction.
The matter led to an impasse in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly earlier this month, with the Opposition demanding a discussion on the money laundering allegations against Mr. Singh. The Speaker rejected the demand with the observation that the matter was sub judice.
