Kapil Sibal for Virbhadra Singh, PS Patwalia for CBI in Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court today asked Himachal Pradesh CM Virbhadra Singh why he was unwilling to participate in the ongoing CBI investigation against him in the disproportionate assets case..Justice Pratibha Rani went on to say that Singh’s participation would ensure that the investigation would reach fruition soon..The Bench was hearing Singh’s plea to quash an FIR registered against him and others in the DA case. Singh also claimed that had also stated that the CBI had overstepped its jurisdiction in the case..Responding to this suggestion, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal who appeared for Singh said that Singh had ‘no problem’ in submitting himself to the agency’s investigation..The Bench was also hearing an application made by the CBI seeking vacation of an interim order passed by the Himachal Pradesh High Court that had restrained the agency from interrogating or charge-sheeting Singh in the DA case..ASG PS Patwalia appearing for CBI told the Court that there was ‘substantial and crucial proof’ of Singh’s involvement in the case but any probe into the issue was being hindered by the order of the Himachal Pradesh High Court..He also said,.“We have done all other kinds of investigation in this case and the facts which have come up are very serious. Recording of statement is a part of the investigation but we are unable to do it.”.During the proceedings, Justice Rani also pointed out a crucial aspect of the impugned order when she stated that the interim stay was granted by a Division Bench of the Himachal Pradesh High Court so there was a slim chance of the same being ‘modified’ by a Single Bench..“The case was transferred to the Delhi High Court but the fact remains that the interim order was passed by a Division Bench. How can a Division Bench order be modified by a Single Judge? I will refer this issue to the Chief Justice who can eventually decide what has to be done.”.The case will now be heard tomorrow.