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Shimla, July 30
Himachal Pradesh State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (SV&ACB) has registered a First Information Report (FIR) against BJP Dharamshala MLA Sudhir Sharma in connection with allegations of possessing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.
The FIR has been registered under the relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, as amended, after the Bureau completed a preliminary enquiry initiated on the basis of a Source Information Report.
According to the Vigilance Bureau, the enquiry involved examination of financial and property-related records collected from various government departments and statutory authorities.
These included income tax returns, election affidavits, property records, house building advance records and valuation reports obtained from the competent authorities.
The Bureau stated that the preliminary enquiry revealed a prima facie disproportion between the MLA’s assets and expenditure and his known lawful sources of income during the check period. After reconciling available records relating to assets, income and expenditure, investigators found sufficient material to warrant registration of a regular criminal case and a detailed investigation.
The enquiry also flagged several financial transactions and assets for further verification. These include the source of declared income, transactions relating to the sale of land, investments and banking transactions, acquisition of vehicles and expenditure incurred on construction of a residential house.
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The Bureau said certain records relating to construction expenditure were not available during the preliminary enquiry. It added that the valuation of the residential property, including expenditure on interior works, fixtures and furnishings, requires further technical assessment, which will be carried out during the investigation.
Officials said the investigation will examine financial records, bank transactions, movable and immovable properties, investments, digital evidence, technical valuation of the residential property and other connected transactions. The role of any other person, if disclosed during the course of the investigation, will also be examined in accordance with law.
The State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau said the case is under investigation and further action will be taken on the basis of evidence collected during the probe.
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