Prem Kumar Dhumal to challenge Himachal Pradesh Governor Urmila Singh’s sanction in high court

CHANDIGARH: Former Himachal Pradesh chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal is likely to challenge in the high court Governor Urmila Singh’s sanction to prosecute him in a land encroachment case, people close to the BJP leader said.

The state’s vigilance bureau, which is probing irregularities in a 2002 land lease to the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association, has said in its charge sheet that Dhumal was the chief minister when the land was leased out. On Wednesday, Singh granted sanction to prosecute him.

Dhumal called the move “highly regrettable and unfair”. “It is unfair that I was not afforded an opportunity even to explain my case,” he told ET. “I respect the governor, but she should not forget that she has also served as a minister and that one individual cannot be blamed for a decision which was jointly taken by the Cabinet.”

Accusing Congress Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh of indulging in “personal and political vendetta”, Dhumal said, “The prosecution sanction has been managed by the government. The chief minister knew that a corruption case against him is coming up for hearing in Delhi High Court. To counter balance the damage, he managed the prosecution sanction against me.”

The BJP leader said, “The case against Virbhadra is that of corruption. There are no such charges against me. It is because of us that children of Himachal are playing in the IPL. Our decision has benefited several hundreds. It was not meant to benefit only one individual.” Dhumal added, “They know that they will be in the dock after the elections. By misusing Vigilance and state bodies against me, he has set a bad precedent.”

On whether he will challenge the prosecution sanction in the Himachal High Court, Dhumal said, “My legal advisors will peruse the sanction and take a decision accordingly.” A legal expert said the clearance to prosecute Dhumal will facilitate the vigilance department’s probe.

“Without the prosecution sanction, the Court could not have taken cognizance of a charge sheet, if at all, filed by vigilance against Dhumal. Having crossed the legal hurdle, the vigilance can now submit a challan against the former chief minister and a competent lower court can look into it,” a senior high court lawyer told ET.

According to some officials, the state government has its eyes set on Dhumal’s son, Anurag Thakur, who was then president of HPCA and allegedly colluded in the case. Thakur is contesting the Lok Sabha elections from Hamirpur constituency. To prosecute Thakur, the government will have to seek sanction from Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar. A top bureaucrat, who did not wish to be named, said, “The state government has not received any request so far from the vigilance cell so far to this effect.”