Himachal CM seeks copy of FIR in assets case

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Monday moved a Delhi court, seeking a copy of the first information report (FIR) in a disproportionate assets case lodged against him.

Virbhadra Singh filed an application before Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Special Judge S.C. Rajan.

The court has fixed the matter for hearing for September 30 and asked the CBI to file response on the plea by Virbhadra Singh.

Himachal Pradesh CM in his application has also sought the court's permission to inspect the judicial record of the case lodged against him.

In June, the CBI initiated a preliminary inquiry against Virbhadra Singh and his family over allegations of corruption and acquiring assets disproportionate to their known sources of income during his tenure as the union steel minister.

"The FIR was registered when Virbhadra Singh was union steel minister. There was corruption and this has been proved now. He has no right to continue. He should resign," union Health Minister J.P. Nadda said earlier.

The case was registered on September 23 under the Prevention of Corruption Act against the former union minister, his wife Pratibha Singh, LIC agent Anand Chauhan and an associate Chunnilal.

The CBI raided Virbhadra Singh's private residence, Holly Lodge, located in Jakhu Hills in Shimla, on September 26. At that time, the chief minister and his family were not at home and celebrating his daughter's wedding elsewhere.