CBI moves SC against HC order on Virbhadra Singh
NEW DELHI: The CBI on Thursday moved the Supreme Court, seeking urgent hearing on its plea challenging 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 of the court after the Dussehra break.
Additional Solicitor General P.S. Patwalia, appearing for the agency, said the High Court order has virtually stalled the investigation process by granting relief, such as protection from arrest and no interrogation of accused without its prior permission.
He said that the High Court has not only restrained CBI from arresting the Chief Minister but also embargoed it from filing charge-sheet.
The Himachal Pradesh HC had, on October 1, restrained the CBI from arresting Mr. Singh and his wife in the DA case. Admitting the petition of Mr. 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 investigating agency.
