Munish sood
Mandi
In a move set to further escalate the political confrontation between the ruling Congress government and the opposition BJP in Himachal Pradesh, the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau has registered a disproportionate assets (DA) case against Dharamshala BJP MLA and former Urban Development Minister Sudhir Sharma.
The FIR alleges that Sharma amassed assets disproportionate to his known sources of income during the period from 2013 to 2023. The Vigilance Bureau has invoked multiple provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act after completing a preliminary verification of his financial affairs.
The development comes against the backdrop of an intense political rivalry between Sharma and Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, making the case one of the most politically significant investigations in the state in recent years.
Luxury House, Assets and Financial Trail to Be Examined
At the centre of the investigation is Sharma’s lavish residence at Rakkar near Dharamshala, besides his movable and immovable assets accumulated over the past decade.
According to Vigilance officials, investigators will scrutinise bank accounts, investments, property transactions, digital evidence and other financial dealings. A technical valuation will also be carried out to determine the actual expenditure incurred on the construction of the residence, including interiors, fixtures and high-value furnishings.
Officials said that if the investigation reveals the involvement of any other individual in the alleged acquisition or concealment of assets, legal action will be initiated against them as well.
Income Tax Returns, Election Affidavits and Property Records Examined
The Vigilance Bureau stated that its preliminary inquiry involved an extensive examination of documents obtained from several government departments, including the Income Tax Department and the Public Works Department.
Investigators scrutinised income tax returns, election affidavits, land and property records, house-building advance documents and official property valuation reports. According to the Bureau, a comparison of the available records prima facie indicated that Sharma’s assets and expenditure appeared to exceed his declared lawful income, providing sufficient grounds for registration of a criminal case.
The FIR has been registered on the complaint of ASP Brahmdas Bhatia, while Inspector Naresh Kumar has been assigned to conduct the investigation.
Sudhir Sharma Hits Back, Calls Case ‘Political Vendetta’
Reacting to the Vigilance action, Sudhir Sharma rejected the allegations and accused the Congress government of using investigative agencies to settle political scores.
Currently in Delhi, Sharma said he would issue a detailed response after returning to Himachal.
“This is nothing but political vendetta. The Sukhu government has already subjected me to two Vigilance inquiries and one probe by another agency. I have cooperated fully on every occasion. They are free to investigate whatever they wish, but they should also ensure that their own documents and those of their associates are beyond question. Truth has nothing to fear,” he said.
Political Rivalry Behind the Headlines
The case assumes greater political significance because Sharma was once among the most influential Congress leaders in Himachal and served as Urban Development Minister in the government led by Virbhadra Singh.
His relationship with Chief Minister Sukhu deteriorated after the Congress came to power in 2022, when despite being a senior MLA he was denied a Cabinet berth. The differences widened over time and culminated in the dramatic Rajya Sabha election cross-voting episode, where Sharma and five other Congress MLAs voted against the party’s official candidate.
Their Assembly memberships were subsequently terminated, following which all six leaders joined the BJP. Sharma later contested the Dharamshala by-election on a BJP ticket and retained the seat, emerging as one of the BJP’s most vocal critics of the Sukhu government.
Fresh Political Flashpoint
With the FIR now registered, the investigation is expected to trigger a fresh political storm in Himachal Pradesh. While the Congress government is likely to project the action as part of its anti-corruption campaign, the BJP is expected to portray it as another instance of political targeting of opposition leaders.
As the probe gathers pace, the case is poised to become a major political flashpoint, with both sides preparing for an intense battle inside and outside the Assembly.
