CBI registers disproportionate assets case against Virbhadra Singh, raids residence

Facing a CBI Preliminary Enquiry in a disproportionate assets case, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh faced major embarrassment as an 18-member team of CBI officials raided his residence Holly Lodge, Shimla, on Saturday morning. Simultaneous raids were also carried out at his residences in Rampur and Saharan — both of which are his native places in Shimla — besides Delhi.

CBI officials confirmed the raids at about 11 locations after a Preliminary Enquiry (PE) registered in June 2015 was converted into <g data-gr-id="32">a FIR</g> under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Having had some information about the impending FIR, the Chief Minister got a signed statement issued by all his 11 ministers throwing their weight behind <g data-gr-id="37">him,</g> and accused the central government of political vendetta.

Early on Saturday morning, the CBI team, which sources say also comprised officials of the Enforcement Directorate, reached the Chief Minister’s private bungalow and called Chief Secretary P Mitra as well as DGP Sanjay Kumar before beginning the raid. TG Negi, a retired IAS officer, and current chairman of State Election Commission, was also at the residence.

There is no official word on the raids, which are still on. Singh and his family members were out for a family function, as the chief minister had fixed the marriage of his daughter <g data-gr-id="42">Minakshi</g> Singh at a local temple, which was kept as a quiet and simple family affair. 

The CBI raids coincided with the wedding event. However, the Chief Minister soon reached his residence along with his wife Pratibha Singh following which several of his supporters and Cabinet <g data-gr-id="45">ministers, beside</g> senior government officials, arrived. The Chief Minister was to host a lunch reception for a select group of <g data-gr-id="44">people</g> but the CBI team continued its raid even as the state’s advocate General Shravan Dogra arrived to assist the family. Many family guests who reached were caught unaware about the presence of the CBI team.

Cabinet ministers Vidya Stokes, Urban Development Minister Sudhir Sharma, chairmen of boards and corporations including Major (Retd) Vijai Singh Mankotia, Harsh Mahajan, Harish Janartha and CPS Jagjivan Pal were at the CM’s residence. Stokes, who left the CM’s residence in an hour, said: “There is a wedding function going on in the house. There are relatives and guests. We are here for the function only. <g data-gr-id="39">Rest</g> I wouldn’t know.”

Demanding resignation of Himachal Pradesh CM, Union Health Minister and senior BJP leader JP Nadda said: “Virbhadra Singh should resign immediately after CBI registered FIR against him in connection with the disproportionate assets case. It is evident that Singh misused his position as Union Steel Minister during UPA’s rule and indulged in corruption.”

Nadda, the senior BJP leader from Himachal Pradesh said: “Singh has lost moral right to continue in office.”