DA case: Virbhadra’s response sought on CBI petition

The Delhi high court on Wednesday sought response of Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on CBI’s plea, seeking vacation of the state high court’s interim order restraining the agency from arresting, interrogating or filing a charge-sheet against him in a disproportionate assets case.

The agency moved the application before a bench of Justice Pratibha Rani, who issued a notice to Singh and posted the matter for hearing on April 4.

Additional Solicitor General (ASG) PS Patwalia, appearing for CBI, told the Bench that the agency is seeking vacation of the Himachal Pradesh HC's interim order of October 1, 2015.

“This application is for vacation of the interim order. A notice may kindly be issued,” Patwalia told the Bench.

During the hearing on February 25 on Singh’s plea seeking quashing of FIR lodged against him and others in the case, the premier probe agency had told the Bench that its investigation in the case was “held up” due to the interim order of the Himachal Pradesh high court.