Delhi High Court dismisses Virbhadra Singh's plea to quash PMLA case

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Monday dismissed a petition by Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh who had alleged that there was a “political vendetta” behind his being summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials in a disproportionate assets case filed against him in September 2015.

Finding Singh’s petition “devoid of substance”, the High Court held that nothing was shown to the court to prove that any “prejudice” has been caused to Virbhadra and his family by summoning them for an inquiry in a money laundering case.

“Those in public life are expected to be open to probity. Higher the position in life (or polity), higher the obligation (moral, if not legal) to be accountable,” the court stated.

ED had lodged a case in September 2015 against Singh and his family under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after taking cognizance of a criminal complaint filed by the CBI then. The CBI’s chargesheet had accused Singh of amassing assets disproportionate to his income during his tenure as Union minister between 2009 and 2011. The CBI had also charged Singh with forgery and corruption. It had also attached assets worth about`14 crore under PMLA.

Refusing to entertain Singh’s plea of “political vendetta”, the court held that “this was not the appropriate forum” to “examine such plea”.

In its 100-page ruling, the court held that “endeavours to stall investigation into their affairs by the law enforcement agencies, particularly on technical grounds, have the potency of giving the impression that there is something to hide”.

The judgment also assumes significance as it clarifies the powers vested with the ED.