Nothing remains in PIL for CBI probe against Himachal CM: HC
Press Trust of India New Delhi Delhi High Court today observed that "nothing remained" in a PIL seeking a CBI probe against Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh for allegedly amassing assets disproportionate to known sources of his income as the agency was already conducting an investigation.
A bench of justices Badar Durrez Ahmed and Sanjeev Sachdeva also noted that in the income tax cases pertaining to Singh, proceedings have been taken up for assessment and re-assessment.
The court also noted the submission on behalf of CBI, represented by Additional Solicitor General Maninder Singh, that a regular case has been lodged against the chief minister, investigation was going on and it would be taken to its logical conclusion.
CBI has registered the case against him and his wife under sections 13(2) and 13(1)(e) of Prevention of Corruption Act and section 109 of IPC on September 23.
"In view of this, no direction is necessary in the matter. There is no need to go into issue of maintainability (of the PIL). Accordingly, writ petition is disposed of," the court said, adding "nothing remains now".
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal also agreed with the court that "there is no need" to go into maintainability of the issue as CBI was already probing the matter and petitions related to the tax cases against Singh were before the apex court.
He also said that their challenge to the CBI probe has been transferred from Himachal Pradesh High Court to the Delhi High Court on the Supreme Court's direction.
The apex court had not granted interim stay on the October 1 order of the Himachal Pradesh High Court which had restrained the CBI from arresting Singh and his wife but had allowed the enquiry in the matter to proceed.
The PIL was initially filed by NGO Common Cause but it was discharged from the matter by the high court which had then appointed an amicus curiae to assist it in the case.
The PIL had alleged that Singh has amassed assets beyond known sources of his income during his earlier tenure as chief minister and a Union minister in UPA II. He has been accused of corruption, money laundering and forgery, a charge denied by him.
