Himachal: The Vigilance Bureau has stepped up its investigation into the alleged misappropriation of MLA discretionary funds involving former Dehra MLA Hoshiyar Singh.
Acting on an FIR registered at the Vigilance police station in Dharamshala, the agency has so far recorded the statements of seven out of 16 beneficiaries. According to preliminary reports, all the beneficiaries belong to the Dehra assembly constituency and are reportedly employees at a company owned by the former legislator.
The investigating agency is currently recording the statements of the remaining individuals and finalizing the paperwork. Once the documentary procedure is complete, Singh will be summoned for questioning.
The case stems from allegations that assistance amounts from the MLA discretionary fund were deposited into the bank accounts of these beneficiaries during 2023-24. It is alleged that Rs 6 lakh in 2023 and Rs 7 lakh in 2024 were transferred to the employees’ accounts, which were subsequently withdrawn at the former MLA‘s behest. The probe was initiated following a complaint by an employee couple, which eventually brought 14 other names under the scanner. Investigating officers have refrained from making any official comments on the matter.
Meanwhile, Singh, who is currently abroad, released a video outrightly rejecting the allegations, terming them a baseless conspiracy. He claimed that an internal family business dispute is being given a political color.
According to Singh, his brother and nephew intimidated his employees into filing the Vigilance complaint. Questioning why a complaint was filed after three years if the charges were genuine, Singh said he is ready to personally present all 16 beneficiaries before the SP office upon his return.
He further alleged that one of his brothers embezzled Rs 15 crore-a dispute currently pending in court—and orchestrated this conspiracy against him. Denying that he ever took back money disbursed from the discretionary fund, Singh stated he had facilitated aid to thousands of people during his tenure. He also took a swipe at the Chief Minister, questioning why the Vigilance department had ignored older cases involving the CM.
The issue has triggered a strong reaction from the opposition. The state BJP has rallied behind the former MLA, launching a scathing attack on the Congress government.
BJP chief spokesperson and MLA Rakesh Jamwal accused Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s government of operating out of political vendetta and misusing state agencies to silence the opposition. He pointed out that FIRs were recently registered against several BJP leaders, including state president Dr. Rajeev Bindal, former minister Sukhram Chaudhary, and Hamirpur MLA Ashish Sharma.
BJP leader Sudhir Sharma also criticized the Vigilance action, calling it prejudiced. He noted that the MLA discretionary fund is meant for public welfare and follows a standard procedure. Sharma alleged that the state government is unnerved by a recent controversy surrounding the distribution of funds by the Kangra Central Cooperative Bank (KCCB).
Sharma further claimed that the current Vigilance probe is merely a diversionary tactic to deflect attention from a recent complaint filed by Hoshiyar Singh against the Chief Minister’s wife and current Dehra MLA, Kamlesh Thakur.
