The Kangra police in Himachal Pradesh have registered a case against Dharamsala MLA Sudhir Sharma and seven of his supporters for staging a protest outside the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau’s local police station. The protesters are accused of raising slogans against Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and using indecent language during the demonstration.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that MLA Sharma had appeared before the Vigilance investigating officer on Tuesday in connection with a disproportionate assets (DA) case that was registered against him on July 29. While the legislator was undergoing questioning inside the Vigilance Bureau office, his supporters had gathered outside the premises. They were reportedly wearing black bands and chanted slogans against the state government.
Kangra Superintendent of Police Kulbhushan Verma confirmed that a case has been registered under Sections 221 and 353(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The sections pertain to offences related to the administration of justice and assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharging his duty, respectively. The police stated that the alleged conduct of the protesters had the potential to disturb public peace and law and order.
The individuals booked alongside MLA Sharma include Prerna Sharma, Abhishek alias Shekhu, Ravikant, Rahul Gill, Bhuvnesh Choudhary, Mona, and Monu. These individuals were part of the group that protested outside the Vigilance Bureau office.
The questioning of MLA Sudhir Sharma by Vigilance officials lasted for over two hours. During this period, he was asked to furnish details and documents pertaining to his movable and immovable assets, as well as those belonging to his family members. This questioning is a part of the ongoing investigation into the disproportionate assets case.
Following the interrogation, MLA Sharma stated that he had responded to most of the queries put forth by the investigating agency. He also indicated that he would submit any remaining documents sought by them at a later stage. Sharma also raised concerns about the completeness of the records the Vigilance Bureau possessed, particularly concerning the sale of ancestral land.
However, the Vigilance Bureau contested the MLA’s claims. In a statement released after the questioning concluded, the agency indicated that Sharma had been specifically requested to provide certain relevant records but had failed to do so, instead requesting additional time. The Bureau also pointed out that the MLA did not provide complete documentary evidence regarding the expenditures incurred on the construction of his house located in Rakkar.
According to the Vigilance Bureau’s account, the MLA’s responses to several significant financial matters were evasive and lacked the specific details necessary for immediate verification. The agency further alleged that it had received information suggesting the acquisition or holding of certain properties under benami names, potentially for the benefit of the accused. This aspect is also under investigation.
The Vigilance Bureau also alleged that Sharma and his supporters had gathered near its office prior to him joining the proceedings. They reportedly raised slogans, and the assembly was considered by the agency to have the potential to disrupt law and order in the vicinity. The booking of the MLA and his supporters over this protest now introduces an additional legal dimension to the existing Vigilance inquiry against the BJP legislator.
The Chenab Times News Desk