Property case: Virbhadra questions Lokayukta’s clean chit to Dhumal

Himachal Congress president Virbhadra Singh on Thursday stepped up his war against Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal by questioning the state Lokayukta's clean chit to the CM in the property case — a complaint filed against him by former ADGP B S Thind.

Thind, who himself had faced probes during Dhumal's rule, had accused him of corruption and misuse of power.

He, however, died during the pendency of the complaint, which was later decided by the Lokayukta and the report tabled in the Assembly in 2011.

Virbhadra, while addressing a rally at Shoghi, said: "The way the matter was decided by the Lokayukta after Thind's death raises serious questions. Thind had presented lots of evidence in support of his allegations regarding Dhumal's assets.The report of Lokayukta came only after Thind's death."

Claiming that Dhumal was at the centre of the corruption mess in Himachal, Virbhadra said: "Though he (Dhumal) lives at Oak Over (CM's residence), he owns huge properties and factories at Jalandhar. I will not allow him to run away to Jalandhar after the Congress returns to power. All corruption and property charges will be inquired into and whosoever is found guilty will be brought to justice."

Virbhadra went on to accuse Dhumal of framing Congress leaders in false cases during the last five years, instead focusing on Himachal's development.

"I have just been told about a major scam in the purchase of HRTC buses, which comes under transport minister Mohinder Singh. There are reports that all these buses were rejected by the ITBP because of some mechanical faults and deficiencies. But HRTC have purchased these buses," he added.

Taking a dig at Dhumal, Virbhadra said: "Till now, even the Prime Minister and Union ministers use Ambassador cars but the chief minister has spend crores to buy new luxury cars when state exchequer has no money to pay salaries to its employees."

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