Congress questions timing of CBI raids on Virbhadra Singh's properties

The Congress Party on Tuesday raised questions over the ongoing raids on premises belonging to Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and said this action was out of order, as the matter is still sub-judice.

"It is very unfortunate that the CBI is conducting raids on the chief minister's house today in relation to a case that is sub-judice. How can the CBI conduct raids in a case that is sub-judice?" asked senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad.

"Virbhadra Singh is a six-time chief minister and an honest man, and the raids are being conducted on his house on a day when his daughter is getting married," he added.

Azad also demanded a Supreme Court-monitored probe in the Rajasthan mining scam.

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The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) this morning raided eleven locations in Himachal Pradesh and New Delhi connected to or with Chief Minister Singh.

A Disproportionate Assets case has also been registered against Singh under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The Delhi High Court had earlier directed the CBI and the Income Tax department to file status reports of their investigation into the disproportionate assets case against Virbhadra Singh.

Both CBI and the Income Tax department were told to file their respective reports in a sealed cover within four weeks.