The Himachal Pradesh Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau has registered an FIR against former Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal for alleged misuse of position when he held office in 2007.
Leader of Opposition was booked under the Prevention of Corruption Act for allegedly giving undue benefit to 1989 IPS officer AN Sharma by allowing him to continue in service after seeking retirement and not following proper procedure.
The FIR was registered under Sections 420 and 120 (B) of the Indian Penal Code and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Sharma, who is also named in the FIR, had applied for voluntary retirement from the police service to contest the 2007 assembly elections from Nadaun Assembly segment on the BJP ticket.
He had given a three month notice to the state government as per rules for seeking retirement on December 31, 2007, but he reportedly sought a waiver of one month and requested to be retired by November 21, 2007.
On his request, the then Virbhadra Singh government had granted him retirement. However, after he failed to secure BJP ticket, Sharma withdrew his retirement plea and reportedly wrote to the home department in the back date and requested for continuation of his service.
On coming to power, the BJP led government withdrew his retirement notification and even promoted him to the rank of inspector general of police. However, after changing power in state in 2012, the Congress led state government opened Sharma’s retirement case and handed over investigations to anti-corruption bureau’s special investigation unit.
The name of retired Principal Secretary (Home) PC Kapoor was also figured in the FIR.
