Munish Sood
Dharamshala
The Himachal Pradesh State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau has registered a First Information Report (FIR) against former Dehra MLA and BJP leader Hoshyar Singh Chambyal over the alleged misappropriation of government funds released under the MLA Discretionary Fund Scheme.
The FIR was registered at the Vigilance Police Station, Dharamshala, following a preliminary inquiry which, according to the Bureau, revealed prima facie evidence of irregularities in the disbursement and utilisation of financial assistance sanctioned during 2023 and 2024.
According to officials, the inquiry was initiated after a complaint was lodged by several employees associated with a company linked to the former legislator. During the course of the probe, investigators examined the complainants, recorded statements of the beneficiaries, scrutinised official records and analysed bank transactions connected with the sanctioned funds.
The Bureau alleged that financial assistance had been approved in the names of several beneficiaries under the discretionary fund scheme. However, during the inquiry, some of the beneficiaries reportedly stated that they had never applied for any such financial assistance.
Investigators also recorded statements from certain beneficiaries who allegedly disclosed that after the sanctioned amount was credited to their bank accounts, they withdrew the money in cash and handed it over as instructed to the former MLA or persons acting on his behalf.
Based on documentary evidence, beneficiary statements and banking records collected during the preliminary inquiry, the Vigilance Bureau said it had found prima facie evidence indicating that the public funds were allegedly diverted and not utilised for the purpose for which they had been sanctioned.
Accordingly, the Bureau has registered a criminal case against Hoshyar Singh Chambyal under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) relating to criminal breach of trust and cheating. Officials said the investigation would also examine the role of any other individuals found to have been involved in the alleged misuse of public funds.
The Bureau emphasised that the investigation is at a preliminary stage and that further action will depend on the evidence gathered during the course of the probe. The allegations made in the FIR are yet to be adjudicated before a competent court of law.
