Dharamshala (Arvind Sharma) |
A media report circulating in Himachal Pradesh claims that, amid the state’s ongoing anti-corruption drive, the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau has registered a disproportionate assets case against Dharamshala BJP MLA and former minister Sudhir Sharma. According to the report, the Bureau has lodged an FIR under relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act and initiated a formal investigation.
Sources said the action follows a preliminary inquiry during which investigators examined documents relating to the MLA’s movable and immovable properties, bank accounts, investments, declared sources of income, and other financial transactions. Valuation reports of residential buildings and other assets were reportedly obtained from various government agencies, including the Public Works Department (PWD). Based on these documents and technical assessments, the Vigilance Bureau is stated to have registered the FIR and commenced a detailed investigation.
Responding to the development, Sudhir Sharma told that he had neither received nor read the FIR, as he is currently outside Himachal Pradesh, and had learned about it through social media.
“This is clearly a politically motivated action and an act of political vendetta by the present Congress government led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. I have nothing to hide and am confident that the truth will prevail. Personal scores will be settled personally in due course,” he said.
According to sources, investigators will now examine the period during which the properties were acquired, the source of funds used for their purchase, banking transactions, investments, and income tax records. If required, additional information may be sought from government departments, financial institutions, and other individuals connected with the case.
The FIR against a prominent opposition leader has sparked political debate in the state, with observers linking the development to the long-standing political rivalry between Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and MLA Sudhir Sharma. However, Vigilance officials have maintained that the investigation is being conducted strictly on the basis of available documents, evidence, and legal procedures. They have emphasized that no conclusions should be drawn until the investigation is completed.
Around 300 Land Registries Also Under Scanner
Meanwhile, the Vigilance Bureau has been investigating a large number of land transactions in Dharamshala and adjoining areas for some time. As part of the probe, officials have reportedly collected several key documents from the Revenue Department. Sources said certified copies of nearly 300 land registries registered in the name of Rakkad resident Nek Ram have also been seized from the Dharamshala Tehsil office for scrutiny.
The investigation reportedly covers land transactions carried out between 2007 and the present. Officials are comparing the registry documents with revenue records, financial transactions, and other available records to verify the authenticity of the transactions. The ongoing probe has reportedly created concern among property dealers and others associated with the real estate sector in the region.
