Former Virbhadra aide arrested on graft charges

Confirming the arrest, Additional Director General of Police (SVACB) I D Bandhari said, “He will produced before the court tonight or tomorrow and we will seek further remand to complete the investigations”.

An FIR against Ahluwalia was a registered in May this year under section 13 (1) E and 13 (2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. But even though he was repeatedly summoned for interrogation, his arrest could not be effected, as Ahluwalia had pleaded ill health. According to vigilance officials, the officer possessed assets worth Rs 2.50 crore even though his actual income during his five-year tenure as principal private secretary did not exceed Rs 30 lakh.

Ahluwalia has allegedly maintained at least 17 bank accounts, including one in a foreign bank. Foreign remittances and money transferred from places like Hyderabad were also detected.

The IAS officer’s assets, say vigilance sources included his multi-storey house in Shimla, a plot in Kaithu area (Shimla) a flat each at Panckhula and Gurgaon, a plot near Mohali and orchards registered under his name as well as the names of family members.