CBI Reached Apex Court in Virbhdar Singh Case
A bench headed by Chief Justice H L Dattu agreed to hear CBI's petitions on reopening of the court after the Dussehra break. The bench, also including Justice Arun Mishra, however refused to list the matter for hearing tomorrow, saying that it is not so urgent.
Additional Solicitor General P S Patwalia, appearing for the probe agency, said the High Court order has virtually stalled the investigation process by granting relief such as protection from arrest and no interrogation of accused without its prior permission.
He said that the High Court not only restrained CBI from arresting the Chief Minister but also embargoed it from filing charge sheet without its prior leave.
The probe agency has filed a transfer petition and a special leave petition in the apex court, asking for the case to be transferred to Delhi from Himachal Pradesh. It also wants the apex court to set aside the state High Court's order.
The Himachal Pradesh HC had on October 1 restrained the CBI from arresting Singh and his wife in the DA case but had allowed the enquiry in the matter to proceed.
Admitting the petition of Singh, the High Court had also directed CBI to keep the court informed before interrogating the couple.
The chief minister had filed a petition in the High Court pleading that the raids on his private residence and other premises were conducted with "malafide intentions and political vendetta" by the central investigating agency.
