The Himachal Pradesh high court has refused to stay investigation of a criminal case registered against former Congress industry minister Kuldeep Kumar, who has been accused of cheating and forgery. While refusing to grant interim relief, Justice Kuldeep Singh observed that the investigation is in its initial stage and interim relief cannot be granted to the petitioner at this stage without hearing the complainant.
Kuldeep Kumar had sought quashing the order of judicial magistrate Amb, whereby the court directed police to register an FIR against the petitioner under different penal provisions of the Indian Penal Code including sections 420, 463, 464, 465, 468, 471 and 474. Petitioner alleged that the complaint was filed with a motive to malign the image of petitioner. It was contended that such complaints are filed only when assembly elections are due in the state.
The complainant, Des Raj alleged in his compliant before the magistrate court that Kuldeep Kumar belongs to Tarkhan caste as per pedigree table 1913-14. It was alleged that Kumar changed his caste in revenue record to Lohar Kaundal to illegally take benefit of scheduled caste category. The court issued notice to the complainant Des Raj and listed the matter for further hearing on September 17.
