By IANS,
Shimla : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) dissidents in Himachal Pradesh Friday demanded a CBI probe into the “amassing of immovable assets” by state Health Minister Rajeev Bindal, who has termed the allegations “mala fide”.
Releasing a document enlisting properties acquired by Bindal and his family since he became minister, the Himachal Lokhit Party, the outfit launched by the dissidents, alleged that the minister has purchased land in the state that was meant for below poverty line (BPL) families.
“This clearly shows how the minister misused his office,” HLP spokesperson Mohinder Sofat told reporters.
Sofat said prosecution sanction was sought in a case registered by the state vigilance and anti-corruption bureau against Bindal during the Congress government in 2007. “Even after four years of BJP rule, the sanction pertaining to recruitments by Bindal in the Solan Municipal Council is still awaited.”
Bindal is known to be close to Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal.
Besides acquiring assets in the state, Bindal has also acquired properties in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, Sofat alleged.
The Himachal Lokhit Party, headed by BJP rebel and four-time former MP Maheshwar Singh, was launched Feb 3.
At the time of floating the party, Singh had alleged that top party functionaries, including Dhumal and his MP son, are neck deep in corruption. “They are involved in illegal property transactions and promotion of realtors. The entire state is up for sale,” he said.
He alleged that even the party high command has “become a party to the corrupt deals” of Dhumal and his cabinet colleagues, including Bindal.