Virbhadra, his son booked for trespassing into Padam Palace
ALLEGATION EXCM’S nephew accused him of breaking the locks of the palace
SHIMLA : Police booked former Himachal Pradesh chief minister (CM) Virbhadra Singh and his legislator son Vikramaditya Singh for trespassing into Padam Palace, which is in possession of his nephew Rajeshwar Singh.
The police also registered a case against former engineer-inchief of the public works department (PWD) Swami Parkash Negi and others for trespassing. “A case was registered against Virbhadra Singh and others under Section 448 (punishment for house trespass) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC),” confirmed a police official on anonymity.
Mast Ram, caretaker of a portion of Rajeshwar’s Padam Palace, filed the complaint against Virbhadra, Vikramaditya and others on May 9. Mast Ram alleged that Virbhadra, his wife Pratbiha Singh broke open the locks of rooms which are in possession of Rajeshwar.
In the two-page complaint, it is alleged that Virbhadra ordered his men to break the locks and throw out the artefacts and other precious belongings inside. “I have been taking care of a portion of the palace belonging to Virbhadra’s nephew Rajeshwar for the last 25 years, Mast Ram said in the complaint.
He said a guard, Roshan, informed him about the intrusion.
The former CM, his wife Pratibha Singh and son Vikramaditya Singh, along with former engineer-in-chief of PWD SP Negi entered the palace along with a group of people and broke the locks, he said.
Mast Ram alleged that the rooms were ransacked and the belonging were thrown out. He said ₹30,000 were also missing from a room.
He alleged that Virbhadra had earlier called him (Mast Ram) to his palace and threatened him. Mast Ram had earlier withdrawn his complaint on May 10 but Rajesshwar registered his statement with the police the same day, alleging that his caretaker was being pressurised to withdraw the complaint. Rajeshwar alleged that Virbhadra forcefully occupied the room that belonged to him. “The palace belonged to my grandfather and was divided into two portions. It was a family matter and could have been resolved amicably but their action forced me to file a formal complaint,” Rajeshwar said.
Virbhadra Singh could not be reached for comments.