Former Dehra MLA booked by Vigilance over alleged misuse of MLA discretionary funds
Former Dehra MLA booked by Vigilance over alleged misuse of MLA discretionary funds
Shimla, July 20,
Himachal Pradesh State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (SV&ACB) has registered a criminal case against former Dehra MLA Hoshiar Singh Chambyal for allegedly misusing government funds released under the MLA Discretionary Grant Scheme.
According to an official release issued by the bureau, FIR No. 05 of 2026 was registered at the SV&ACB Police Station, Dharamshala, on July 16 under Sections 409 (criminal breach of trust) and 420 (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code after a preliminary inquiry into a complaint alleging irregularities in the disbursement of financial assistance during 2023 and 2024.
The complaint was filed by employees of a company owned by the former legislator, who were also among the beneficiaries in whose names the financial assistance had allegedly been sanctioned.
The Vigilance Bureau said that during the preliminary verification, it examined official records, bank documents, government files and statements of the complainants and other persons concerned.
The inquiry allegedly revealed that financial assistance had been sanctioned and disbursed in the names of certain beneficiaries even though they had not applied for the grant.
According to the bureau, the beneficiaries stated during the inquiry that after the sanctioned amount was credited to their bank accounts, they withdrew the cash and handed it over on the instructions of the former MLA.
Based on documentary evidence and bank records collected during the verification, the bureau said it found prima facie indications that government funds had been used contrary to their intended purpose and that the beneficiaries did not receive the actual benefit of the assistance sanctioned in their names.
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SV&ACB said the investigation would also examine the role of other persons and determine whether offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act or any other relevant legal provisions are attracted.
It maintained that the probe would be conducted in an impartial, transparent and evidence-based manner, with responsibility to be fixed only on the basis of evidence collected during the investigation.
Reiterating its zero-tolerance policy against corruption and misuse of public funds, the bureau said ensuring a fair, independent and effective investigation remains its top priority.
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