MLA Ashish Sharma, Chaitanya’s father appear before Shimla police, questioned for 2.5 hours in case alleging conspiracy to topple Himachal government
- Himachal CM’s wife may get ministry if Congress follows this tradition for cabinet expansion - November 5, 2024
- Himachal High Court maintains stay on termination of 900 horticulture project employees - November 5, 2024
- Himachal weather: After month of drought-like conditions, rain likely on this day - November 5, 2024
TNR Desk
Independent MLA from Hamirpur in Himachal Pradesh Ashish Sharma and disqualified Congress MLA Chaitanya Sharma’s father Rakesh Sharma appeared at the Boileauganj police station in a case related to alleged horse-trading during the recent Rajya Sabha election.
A police special investigation team (SIT) formed to probe the case made the accused sit separately and interrogated them for about two and a half hours.
Ashish and Rakesh Sharma, a retired IAS officer who remained the former Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand, were in the police station till 5.20 pm on Saturday evening. According to the police, both will be called for investigation again. Ashish had reached the police station on Friday as well, though Rakesh Sharma didn’t turn up. On Saturday, he appeared in the police station for the first time.
Congress MLAs Sanjay Awasthi and Bhuvneshwar Gaur have accused Rakesh and Ashish of illegal large-scale money transactions during the Rajya Sabha elections and of hatching a conspiracy to topple the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu government.
The allegations include using helicopters, paramilitary forces and other vehicles during the conspiracy. A three-member team formed under the supervision of Shimla Superintendent of Police interrogated both the accused.
After the case was registered on March 12, the Himachal Pradesh High Court had granted conditional bail to the accused. Both were told to appear in the police station. However, both didn’t turn up and sent their lawyers instead, who sought a week’s time citing ill-health.
After hearing the arguments of both the parties, the high court extended the interim bail of the accused till April 1. Also, instructions were given to them to cooperate in the investigation.
