Vigilance might grill BJP MLA Sudhir Sharma in disproportionate assets case
Shimla, August 12
The State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau is set to grill BJP MLA Sudhir Sharma over alleged disproportionate assets, with the anti-graft sleuths issuing a notice directing the Dharamshala legislator to appear before the Investigating Officer on August 13.
The Vigilance Bureau has issued the notice under Section 35 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, directing Sharma to appear in person at the SV&ACB police station in Dharamshala at 11 am and provide information and documents required for the investigation.
The notice relates to FIR No. 0006/2026, registered on July 29 under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, concerning alleged possession of assets disproportionate to known sources of income.
The anti-corruption sleuths have asked Sharma to come prepared with an extensive set of financial and property records, including documents concerning transactions worth Rs 70.84 lakh declared as income from shares voluntarily surrendered in his Income Tax Return for assessment year 2015-16.
The Bureau has also sought original title documents, sale deeds, banking records and details of transfer concerning Rs 74.07 lakh shown as income from sale of land during the same assessment year.
The notice requires Sharma to produce bills, vouchers, construction accounts, payment records, architectural drawings and other documents relating to his multi-storeyed residential house at Rakkar. He has also been directed to facilitate access to the interior of the house for technical assessment of furnishing, fixtures and fittings.
The Vigilance sleuths have sought complete details of vehicles acquired by Sharma or his family members during the check period, including purchase records, financing documents, repayment schedules and related bank transactions.
Also read:Sudhir Sharma rejects Vigilance FIR, calls it political vendetta
The agency has further asked for details of any undisclosed investments, bank accounts, lockers or financial holdings in India or abroad, besides records concerning unsecured loans and advances.
Sharma has also been directed to furnish a complete declaration of movable and immovable assets held or beneficially enjoyed by him and his family members, along with documentary proof of the source of funds and mode of acquisition.
The notice warns that failure to appear or produce the documents sought could invite action under law and may lead to an adverse inference during the investigation.
The Vigilance Bureau has also reserved the right to examine the role of any co-conspirators, abettors, facilitators, associates, intermediaries or beneficiaries if evidence emerges during the probe.
Sharma has rejected the allegations, terming the FIR politically motivated and alleging political vendetta. He has maintained that all his assets and financial transactions have lawful and verifiable sources and has expressed confidence that he will come clean during the investigation.
The appearance notice is likely to bring the BJP legislator face-to-face with the investigating team over the specific financial transactions and property-related issues identified by the Vigilance Bureau during its preliminary enquiry.
About the Author
