Independent MLA Ashish, Congress rebel Chaitanya’s father appear before Shimla police
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Both accused of conspiracy to topple Sukhu govt
TNR Desk
Independent Himachal Pradesh MLA from Hamirpur Ashish Sharma and disqualified Congress MLA from Gagret Chaitanya Sharma’s father Rakesh Sharma visited Boileauganj police station in Shimla on Friday (March 29, 2024), only to be summoned again later in the evening.
The visit was in pursuance of an FIR lodged by Congress MLAs Sanjay Awasthi and Bhuvneshwar Gaur at the police station, accusing Ashish and Rakesh of conspiring to topple the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu government.
Accused have anticipatory bail
Both Ashish and Rakesh have already obtained anticipatory bail from the Himachal Pradesh High Court. However, the high court had mandated their appearance before the police. The accusations against them include plotting to overthrow the government during the recent Rajya Sabha election in the state and engaging in horse-trading of MLAs, involving transactions amounting to crores of rupees.
More names may be included in FIR
Unidentified individuals have also been named in the FIR. As the investigation unfolds, more persons may be included in the case. Both accused are alleged to have arranged accommodation for MLAs in five to seven-star hotels to destabilise the government, and facilitated the transportation of rebel MLAs by helicopter.
The allegations stem from the Rajya Sabha election held on February 27 in Himachal Pradesh. Despite Congress having a majority with 40 MLAs and fielding Abhishek Manu Singhvi as its candidate, a tie ensued between Congress and BJP candidates, with both securing 34 votes each after cross-voting by six Congress and three independent MLAs. BJP’s Harsh Mahajan clinched the victory through a lottery, leading to a crisis in the state government, which was temporarily resolved following intervention by the Congress high command.
The police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act. The police have commenced investigations into allegations of vote-buying and government destabilisation during the Rajya Sabha elections
