Virbhadra Singh's palatial farmhouse purchased through shell companies: ED probe

A Patiala House court will take cognisance of the chargesheet filed by the ED against Himachal Pradesh CM, Virbhadra Singh.

Virbhadra Singh, the chief minister of Himachal Pradesh who is under the scanner of the Enforcement Directorate in a disproportionate assets case had used shell companies to purchase a farmhouse in Delhi. It may be recalled that the ED had on Monday attached the farmhouse in Delhi.

Investigations have revealed that Singh had allegedly used shell companies to purchase the farmhouse. He is alleged to have settled the deal by paying Rs 5.41 crore in cash that was unaccounted, ED officials say. The ED has also found that Rs 1.20 crore had been paid through cheques from a company in which his son and daughter are shareholders and directors.

It was found during the probe that the funds had been provided by a promoter and directors of the Tarini group of companies. This group is engaged in hydro power projects in Himachal Pradesh. It was further revealed that the promoter of this group Vakamulla Chandrasekhar had been awarded the Saikothi plant in Chamba.

A release by the ED stated that the cheque amount for the purchase of the farmhouse had been given by Chandrasekhar from his personal account. The note further stated that the sum of Rs 5.90 crore was given to Singh and his family members from Chandrashekhar's personal bank accounts.

The farm house is situated in the Dera Mandi area of South Delhi. It is worth over Rs 27 crore and the allegation by the ED is that illicit money by Singh was invested to purchase the farmhouse. Further it came to light that the the same was purchased in the name of Maple Destinations and Dreambuild Pvt Ltd.

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