HC asks Virbhadra to join probe, directs CBI not to arrest him

The Delhi high court on wednesday asked Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, an accused in a disproportionate assets (DA) case along with others, to join the probe in the matter and directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) not to arrest him. 

Justice Pratibha Rani said this after Singh told the court that he was willing to join the investigation and cooperate with the agency. “They (Singh’s counsel) are saying that they are ready to join the investigation. It is only about joining the investigation. They will join. You (CBI) will not arrest him,” the court said.

The court said this while disposing of the CBI’s plea, seeking vacation of Himachal Pradesh high court’s interim order dated October 1, 2015, restraining the agency from arresting, interrogating or filing a charge-sheet against Singh in the case.

The court told senior advocate Kapil Sibal, who appeared for Singh, to provide the personal mobile number of his client to the agency and also said that Singh would have to join the probe whenever he is called by the investigating officer (IO). Sibal told the court that Singh was willing to join the probe.

Additional Solicitor General (ASG) PS Patwalia, who appeared for the CBI, initially pressed for the modification of the interim order, saying that the agency “should be given a free hand to investigate” the case. The ASG said, “We are happy that he(Singh) is willing to join the investigation.”