Union minister Virbhadra sent questionnaire in CD case

The Himachal Pradesh vigilance and anti-corruption bureau has sent a questionnaire to Union minister Virbhadra Singh and his former MP wife Pratibha Singh in an alleged graft case.

Separate questionnaires have been sent to them a few days ago, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) state vigilance S P S Verma today said.

They have been asked to reply within two weeks.

On the basis of CFSL report confirming voice of Singh and his wife in the CD, released by former Congress minister Vijay Singh Mankotia in 2007 accusing them of indulging in corruption, an FIR was lodged on August 3 this year.

The CD allegedly contains the audio of the duo and former bureaucrat Late Mohinder Lal talking about some bribe money.

According to sources in the state vigilance department, the questionnaire was prepared after perusing records of various departments, including Small Scale Industries Development Corporation (SIDC) from 1989-90 (the period when Lal was its chairman).

The case had recently rocked the Himachal Pradesh Assembly. The Union minister has alleged it was a conspiracy hatched by Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal against him, a charge denied by the CM.