Shimla: Without vacating the stay granted by Himachal Pradesh High Court in its interim order on October 1, 2015 refraining Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) from custodial interrogation of chief minister Virbhadra Singh in a disproportionate asset case, the Supreme Court, a little while ago, steering clear of the controversy directed that “in the interest of justice” the case be transferred to Delhi High Court.
The bench of Justice FMI Kalifulla and Justice UU Lalit in the plea moved by CBI seeking custodial interrogation of Virbhadra Singh and his wife in the case ruled that the matter be moved to Delhi High Court so that there are no allegations attributed against the court.
The bench also emphasized that transferring of the case does not undermine the federal structure of the country nor does it cast any aspersion on the HP High Court.
It was because of the peculiar circumstances of the case that it was being transferred, the judges explained.
Earlier CBI had moved the SC, challenging a HP High Court order that had restrained the country’s premier investigation agency from arresting the chief minister in the disproportionate asset case.
The case pertains to the period 2009-12, when Virbhadra Singh was the union steel minister. For the tenure Virbhadra Singh had revised three annual income returns by as much as Rs 6 crore that stands shown as agricultural income.
CBI is contesting the sudden spurt in agriculture income of Virbhadra Singh for the 2009-12 periods, alleging that the amount is a kickback from a steel company which has been declared as agricultural income.
As Editor, Ravinder Makhaik leads a team of media professionals at Hill Post.
Spanning a career of over two decades in mass communication, as a Documentary Filmmaker, TV journalist, Print Media journalist and with Online & Social Media, he brings with him a vast experience. He lives in Shimla.
