Wheat scam: CBI records Virbhadra’s statement

Expanding probe against Himachal Pradesh CM Virbhadra Singh, the CBI recently recorded his statement in connection with alleged kickbacks made to him and State Trading Corporation employees by private firms. The CBI registered a preliminary enquiry on the complaint of STC that some private companies made payments to its officials and started a probe last October.

CBI officials however refused to divulge the details of Singh’s questioning but sources said his statement was recorded in connection with the probe into allegations that he as the steel minister had received payoffs of Rs 2.8 crore from a Mumbai-based steel company. STC had given a complaint on which AAP leader Prashant Bhushan also wrote to the CBI director and approached Delhi High Court seeking a probe into the matter.

The complaint filed by STC and Bhushan has been clubbed, sources said. In the representation by Bhushan, it was alleged that Income Tax returns and affidavits filed during Singh’s nomination show dubious transactions which needed to be probed.