Virbhadra Singh faces HC’s wrath for seeking passover

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, accused in a disproportionate assets case, today faced the wrath of Delhi High Court after his lawyer sought passover in the matter on the ground that his senior arguing counsel Kapil Sibal was busy in Supreme Court.

Justice Pratibha Rani said that Singh was “enjoying” the protection and on every date of hearing, his counsel sought a passover on similar grounds.

“Even on the last date, the arguing counsel was not here. Petitioner (Singh) is enjoying the stay and thereafter on every date adjournment and passover is being sought on the ground that arguing counsel is not available,” the court said.

As soon as the hearing commenced, the lawyer representing Singh sought passover saying senior advocate Sibal, who is the arguing counsel, was busy in another matter in the apex court.

“This has also happened on the last date of hearing. ...I will hear the arguments. Once you enjoy the protection, you do not want to proceed,” Justice Pratibha Rani said.