Chaudhry abduction8217; probe on

SHIMLA, April 26: The Himachal Pradesh government today ordered a high-level probe into the alleged incidents of lawlessness, misuse of gove...

SHIMLA, April 26: The Himachal Pradesh government today ordered a high-level probe into the alleged incidents of lawlessness, misuse of government machinery and the 8220;kidnapping8221; of Independent MLA Ramesh Chaudhry, who was rewarded with a Cabinet position by the shortlived Congress government last month.

Shimla Divisional Commissioner Deepak Shanan has been entrusted with the probe, which will cover all incidents in Shimla from March 3 to March 12 8211; the day when Virbhadra Singh resigned before facing the crucial vote of confidence in the Assembly.

The report has to be submitted to the government within 30 days for a suitable follow-up action.

The Congress, which denies kidnapping Chaudhry and maintains that the MLA himself contacted the party leadership, has rejected the probe by a divisional commissioner and reiterated its demand for probe by a sitting judge of the High Court.

A government notification said that the incidents of lawlessness had caused serious public concern over the maintenance of law and order in the capital and there were allegations that the government machinery was misused.

8220;In the interest of restoring public faith in the government system, it is felt that an inquiry should be conducted immediately into the incidents8221;, the notification says.

Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal had ordered the probe in the state Assembly soon after his government had secured the vote of confidence.

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Ramesh Chaudhry had levelled charges against the Congress and had informed the House that he was forcibly taken to the Holly Lodge private residence of then chief minister Virbhadra Singh in the 8220;shadow of swords, by some Congress goondas8221; and had been made a minister to secure his support in forming the government.

Dhumal had assured the House that a probe would be ordered after a plea by some BJP MLAs in this regard.