New Delhi : Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Thursday accused the Modi government of forcing the CBI register a preliminary enquiry (PE) into his alleged disproportionate assets case to divert public attention from the burning issues of corruption and impropriety in which the BJP is deeply embroiled.
He said the PE was deliberately timed with a political witch-hunting to somehow take the winds out of the ongoing campaign of his Congress party against the misdeeds of the BJP leaders. He said there is nothing new in the allegations as the same unsubstantiated allegations regarding his income tax returns were raised by the BJP in the 2012 Assembly elections.
Singh said the income tax authorities are looking into his income tax returns at various levels and their jurisdiction for inquiries into his alleged money laundering was now pending before the Supreme Court.
“A motivated PIL (public interest litigation) filed by advocate Prashant Bhushan in the same matter is pending before Delhi High Court where detailed replies have been filed by CBI and IT Department”, Singh said, pointing out Bhushan was trying to settle scores with him because his government initiated action against his education society for violation of the state land laws.
Only one case pertaining to his income tax returns is pending but it is raised at different platforms to create an impression as if a number of cases are going on against him, Singh said, pointing out that the CBI had already inquired and submitted its report in a sealed cover to Delhi High Court.
“Instead of waiting for outcome of the matter pending before the High Court, the CBI has prematurely registered PE, which amounts to violation of judicial proceedings and contempt of court”, Singh added.
BJP also claimed the IT probe had revealed that Singh and his family’s income rose from Rs 47.35 lakh in 2009-10 to Rs 6.56 crore in three years and said that the investigation into the charges against the chief minister had begun during the previous UPA rule. The party also raked up the case of over Rs 5 cr deposited in an LIC agent’s bank account who later claimed it was the premium of policies bought by Singh and his family.
