Money laundering case: Court summons Virbhadra Singh, wife

Money laundering case: Court summons Virbhadra Singh, wife

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh. (File Photo: IANS)

New Delhi, Feb 12 (IANS) A court here on Monday issued summons to former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and his wife, accused of money laundering.After accepting the Enforcement Directorate (ED) chargesheet, Special Judge Santosh Snehi Mann asked Virbhadra Singh, his wife Pratibha Singh and three others -- Chunni Lal Chauhan, Prem Raj and Lawan Kumar Roach to appear before her on March 22.The ED has chargesheeted Virbhadra Singh, his wife Pratibha Singh and three others -- Chunni Lal Chauhan, Prem Raj and Lawan Kumar Roach -- under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).Special Public Prosecutor N.K. Matta told the court there is enough material on record to proceed against the accused in the case.Earlier, the ED had filed its first chargesheet against Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) agent Anand Chauhan, accusing him of investing Virbhadra Singh's Rs 5.14 crore in LIC policies purchased in his name and those of his family members, including his wife.A probe had found that Virbahdra Singh had accumulated assets worth Rs 6.03 crore in his name and in the names of his family members, which were disproportionate to his known sources of income, during his tenure as the Union Steel Minister from 2009 to 2011.The ED alleged Virbhadra Singh, with help of his wife and Chauhan, indulged in money laundering by investing tainted money in LIC policIes in the name of his family members and to show legitimate income arising out of insurance policies.--IANSakk/pgh/vm

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