Jaitley accuses Virbhadra Singh of corruption, writes to PM

BJP leader Arun Jaitley Monday alleged that there was an "open and shut case of corruption" against Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, concerning payments from the promoter of a power company.

Jaitley said he has written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the director of the Central Bureau of Investigation on the matter, enclosing copies of all relevant documents.

Addressing a press conference here, Jaitley said Venture Energy and Technology Pvt Ltd had defaulted on a contract concerning hydropower project work in Himachal Pradesh, but was given an extention in the time to complete the job.

He said the Virbhadra Singh government had given the company 10 months more, and alleged that the firm's promoter had made cheque payments of Rs.3.5 crore "to Virbhadra Singh and his wife Pratibha Singh".

Pratibha Singh is a member of the Lok Sabha.

Jaitley alleged that the money had been shown as loan, and Virbhadra Singh and his family had become shareholders in another firm belonging to the promoter of the power company.

"This is an open and shut case of corruption against the present chief minister of Himachal Pradesh, Virbhadra Singh," Jaitley said.

Jaitely said this was the third case of corruption in the last two years "involving" Virbhadra Singh, who has also served as union steel minister in the United Progressive Alliance government.