Himachal ex-CM gets bail in cricket association land row

Former Himachal Pradesh chief minister and BJP leader Prem Kumar Dhumal Monday got regular bail for alleged wrongdoing in allotment of land to the state's cricket association during his previous tenure.

However, his two sons, including Lok Sabha member Anurag Thakur, who were among the 16 people summoned by a local trial court could not appear in the court.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Davinder Kumar granted regular bail to Dhumal and 10 others after they furnished a bail bond and a surety bond of Rs.25,000.

Special public prosecutor Satish Thakur told IANS that Special Judge (Vigilance) K.K. Sharma Sep 6 issued summons to 16 accused to appear in person. Of them, 12 were served summons.

He said Anurag Thakur, who is the president of the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association, couldn't appear in the court as he was busy in some parliamentary meetings. The court granted him exemption on his application.

"Three other accused - Arun Dhumal, Vishal Marwah and Surender Thakur - couldn't appear in the court as summons were not served on them," the public prosecutor said.

Arun Dhumal is the younger son of Dhumal, while Vishal Marwah and Surender Thakur are the HPCA's honorary secretary and vice-president, respectively.

"The 11 accused who surrendered to the court were provided a copy of charge sheet," Thakur added.

The court will next hear the case Dec 19.

Eighteen people were formally charged April 25 with wrongdoing in allotment of land to the HPCA for building a plush residential complex for players near its stadium in Dharamsala.

The state Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau filed a case in August 2013 against the HPCA functionaries under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act of 1988.