CBI moves SC against Himachal court's 'protection' for Virbhadra Singh

Wants HC order to be set aside, case to be transferred to Delhi

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday moved the Supreme Court for an urgent hearing on its plea challenging the Himachal Pradesh High Court’s order granting protection against possible arrest and other relief to Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and his wife in a disproportionate assets case.

A bench headed by Chief Justice H L Dattu agreed to hear CBI's two petitions on reopening after the Dussehra break.

The bench, also including judge Arun Mishra, however, refused to list the matter for hearing tomorrow, saying that it is not so urgent.

Additional Solicitor General P S Patwalia, appearing for the CBI, said the high court order had virtually stalled the investigation by granting relief such as protection from arrest and no interrogation of accused without its prior permission.

He said the high court not only restrained CBI from arresting the Chief Minister, but also embargoed it from filing a charge sheet without its prior leave.

CBI has filed a transfer petition and a special leave petition in the apex court, seeking transfer of the case against Singh from Himachal Pradesh to Delhi and setting aside the order passed by the state high court, respectively. The Himachal Pradesh HC had on October 1 restrained the CBI from arresting Singh and his wife in the DA case but had allowed the enquiry in the matter to proceed.

Admitting the petition of Singh, the high court had also directed the CBI to keep the court informed before interrogating the couple.

The chief minister had filed a petition in the high court pleading that the raids on his private residence and other premises were conducted with "malafide intentions and political vendetta" by the central investigating agency.