Shimla: Himachal Pradesh's political battle over wealth and accountability has taken a fresh turn. Days after the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) report placed Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu among the wealthiest Chief Ministers in the country—a report the Chief Minister dismissed as "politically motivated" while asserting that central agencies, including the ED, were free to investigate his assets—the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (SV&ACB) on Thursday registered a disproportionate assets case against BJP MLA from Dharamshala, Sudhir Sharma.
The Bureau has registered an FIR under the relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, as amended, after completing a preliminary enquiry initiated on the basis of a Source Information Report.
According to Vigilance officials, the preliminary enquiry examined financial and property records obtained from various government departments and statutory authorities, including income tax returns, election affidavits, property records, House Building Advance records and valuation reports.
The enquiry allegedly revealed a prima facie disproportion between Sharma's assets and expenditure and his known lawful sources of income during the check period. After reconciling records relating to assets, income and expenditure, the Bureau concluded that sufficient material existed to register a regular criminal case and launch a detailed investigation.
Investigators will now scrutinise the source of declared income, land sale transactions, investments, banking records, acquisition of vehicles and expenditure incurred on construction of a residential property.
The Vigilance Bureau said certain records relating to construction expenditure were unavailable during the preliminary enquiry. It also noted that the valuation of the residential property, including interior works, fixtures and furnishings, requires further technical assessment, which will form part of the ongoing investigation.
The investigation will cover banking trails, movable and immovable assets, investments, digital evidence and technical valuation of the property. Officials said the role of any other person, if it emerges during the investigation, will also be examined in accordance with law.
The development has added a fresh political dimension to Himachal's already charged atmosphere. It comes close on the heels of the ADR report that triggered a political storm after ranking Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu among the wealthiest Chief Ministers in India. Sukhu had rejected the report, alleging it was aimed at maligning him, and maintained that any central investigating agency was welcome to verify his declared assets.
With the ruling Congress government now initiating a corruption probe against a prominent BJP legislator, the latest Vigilance action is expected to further sharpen political confrontation between the Congress and the BJP in the state.
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