CBI probe in disproportionate assets case against HP CM hints at ‘malafide’ | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

CBI probe in disproportionate assets case against HP CM hints at ‘malafide’

ByPTI, New Delhi
Sep 15, 2016 07:48 PM IST

Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh, an accused in a disproportionate assets case along with others, on Thursday claimed in Delhi high court that the way in which the probe was conducted showed an “element of enthusiasm” on CBI’s part indicating an element of “malafide”.

Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh, an accused in a disproportionate assets case along with others, on Thursday claimed in Delhi high court that the way in which the probe was conducted showed an “element of enthusiasm” on CBI’s part indicating an element of “malafide”.

File photo of Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh.
File photo of Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh.

Questioning CBI’s jurisdiction in registering the case here, his counsel told Justice Vipin Sanghi that the court should look into the “ramifications” of the matter as the agency could keep doing its probe which might finish the political career of the Congress leader.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Singh, said as per CBI’s case, all assets alleged to be disproportionate to the known source of income were in Himachal Pradesh and the agency should not have lodged the case in Delhi, on the basis of the fact that his client was then a union minister here.

“The manner in which probe was conducted (by CBI) shows an element of enthusiasm which would not have been there in normal circumstances. That is why a court-monitored mechanism is essential. There is an element of malafide in the matter,” Sibal told the court.

He said it should be ensured that CBI was not biased against anyone based on the political party which is in power in the Centre or the state.

Sibal said CBI had conducted first preliminary enquiry (PE) and thereafter sought to close the case, but later it carried out a second PE on the same set of facts which were dealt with earlier.

He argued that the check period in a DA case “cannot give CBI the jurisdiction to lodged a case here” as jurisdiction would be made out at the place where the offence is alleged to have been committed.

“There must be a court crafted roadmap in such matters... What will give you (CBI) jurisdiction is the place where an offence is committed,” Sibal said during the arguments which would continue on September 23.

CBI had earlier told the high court that its probe in the DA case against Singh and others was “complete” and it wanted to file the charge sheet in the matter.

The Himachal Pradesh High Court in an interim order on October 1, 2015, had restrained the agency from arresting, interrogating or filing a charge sheet against Singh in the case without court’s permission.

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Mukhtar Ansari Death News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On