The Supreme Court on Thursday transferred the disproportionate assets case against Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh and his wife to the Delhi high court.
However, the relief granted by the Himachal Pradesh high court, barring the CBI from arresting Virbhadra Singh, would continue.
Apex court bench, led by justice Fakkir Mohamed Ibrahim Kalifulla, observed that the matter should be heard by the Delhi High Court.
Kapil Sibal, appearing for Virbhadra, contented that order of transferring the case to Delhi high court may lead to lack of trust in the Himachal high court judges but apex court rejected his contention saying that image of the institution should not be allowed to be spoiled.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court also expressed disapproval over the language of affidavit filed by the Himachal CM in the case. Virbhadra’s counsel Kapil Sibal agreed to delete objectionable remarks after the attorney general raised strong objection on the allegations made against one of the CBI Counsel.
Seeking custodial interrogation and transferring of the case to Delhi, the CBI on October 15 had moved the Supreme Court against the Himachal high court’s order barring it from arresting Virbhadra Singh.
The investigative agency had on Oct 26 also alleged that the Himachal high court judge, who had restrained it from arresting Virbhadra and his wife, had been his lawyer earlier in some case.
TIMELINE
September 23: CBI registers FIR against Virbhadra Singh
September 26: CBI raids Virbhadra’s private residence, other places
September 30: Virbhadra moves Himachal Pradesh high court for quashing of the FIR
October 1: HP High court retrains CBI from arresting Virbhadra
October 15: CBI moves the Supreme Court for permission to interrogate Himachal CM
October 26: Supreme Court issues Notice to CM, wife
November 5: SC transfers DA case to Delhi high court
