CBI questions Himachal CM Virbhadra's son

The CBI on Tuesday questioned Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh's son Vikramaditya Singh in connection with a case of alleged disproportionate assets.

Vikramaditya reached the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) headquarters in Delhi around 11 a.m. and was questioned till 5.30 p.m., said an agency source.

"He was evasive and did not respond on several questions," said the source.

The agency on Monday informed the Delhi High Court that Virbhadra Singh's children Vikramaditya and Aprajita Kumari, have been called for questioning as witnesses in the case and there were no plans to arrest them.

Vikramaditya and Aprajita had filed a plea in the Delhi High Court seeking their protection from arrest after the CBI called them for questioning on Monday and Tuesday.

Aprajita and Vikramaditya told the court that their father and mother have been named as accused in the FIR along with others, but they have not been named. They told the court that they will join the investigation but they apprehend that the CBI may detain them.

A case was registered on September 23 last year under the Prevention of Corruption Act against Virbhadra Singh, his wife Pratibha Singh, Life Insurance Corporation agent Anand Chauhan and associate Chunni Lal after a preliminary inquiry allegedly found that Virbhadra Singh accumulated assets worth Rs 6.03 crore, in his and his family members' names, which were disproportionate to his known sources of income.

The 81-year-old senior Congress leader was questioned twice by the CBI in connection with the case earlier this month.

The CBI officials said they wanted to question Virbhadra's children as he was evasive about his "illegal" wealth and not cooperating in the investigation.

The officials said Virbhadra's other family members and those named in the FIR will soon be summoned in the case.

--IANS

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