HC restrains CBI from arresting Virbhadra, wife

In an interim relief to Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and his wife Pratibha Singh, the state high court on Thursday restrained the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) from arresting them in a disproportionate assets (DA) case, even though it allowed the probe to proceed.

A Division Bench, comprising Justices Rajiv Sharma and Sureshwar Thakur, told the CBI not to question or take statements of Singh or his wife without the court’s permission.

The HC issued directives on a petition filed by Singh against whom an FIR was registered by the CBI last week and his residences raided on September 26. It fixed the next hearing on November 18.

Observing that there is a prima facie case and the balance of convenience is also in favour of the petitioners, the Bench said, however, that they would suffer irreparable loss and injury in case interim directions are not issued at this stage. “The CBI is directed to go ahead with the investigation but the statements of the petitioners shall not be recorded without the leave of the court,” it ruled.

“By way of abundant precaution, it is made clear that the petitioners shall not be arrested and when the dossier is complete, it shall be open for the CBI to approach this court for permission to interrogate the petitioners in accordance with law,” it said. Ashok Sharma, who appeared on behalf of CBI, submitted that there no proposal for arrest at this stage.

Meanwhile, rallying behind embattled Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister after CBI officials conducted raids at his residences, a delegation of state ministers, Congress MLAs and leaders on Thursday submitted a memorandum to President Pranab Mukherjee, seeking “appropriate action” to uphold democratic traditions.

They alleged that the CM was being targeted by the BJP-led Central government.