HP Congress demands inquiry by sitting judge

We cannot repose our trust in any govt agency because it is under their control. An impartial probe should be conducted by a sitting high court judge.

KULDEEP SINGH RATHORE, state Congress chief

SHIMLA : The anonymous letter, which put two of chief minister Jai Ram Thakur’s ministers in the dock over graft charges has given the Congress an opportunity to train guns at the Bjp-ruled government, at a time when the parties are bracing for byelections in Dharamshala and Pachhad.

State Congress chief Kuldeep Singh Rathore on Monday questioned the BJP’S silence over the matter and demanded an inquiry into allegations of graft by a sitting high court judge.

Rathore said, “We cannot repose our trust in any government agency because it is under their control. An impartial probe should be conducted by a sitting high court judge.”

Rathore said the Congress delegation will meet governor Bandaru Dattatreya and submit a memorandum to demand an inquiry into the allegations.

After the message went viral, police registered a complaint at Bhawarna Police Station and called in former irrigation and public health minister Ravinder Ravi for questioning. Police officials also confiscated his mobile .

BJP leaders suspect that Ravi circulated the message, which caused the party much embarrassment, on social media platforms.

SATTI DEFENDS RAVI

Himachal BJP chief Satpal Singh Satti on Monday defended former minister Ravinder Singh Ravi. Satti said dragging Ravi’s name into the controversy on the basis of a third person’s statements was unwarranted.

“Health minister Vipin Singh Parmar has filed an FIR regarding the letter posted on social media and a probe has been ordered by the chief minister,” he said. “The result of the probe will come out soon. All facts will be in public domain, including the name of the person who had the letter circulated.