Money laundering case: Ex-HP CM Virbhadra Singh, his wife and others secure bail

New Delhi: Special Judge Arvind Kumar on Thursday granted bail to former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, his wife and three others in a money laundering case of Rs seven crore.

Directorate of Enforcement (ED) had arraigned the octogenarian statesman for projecting around Rs seven crore "proceeds of crime" as agricultural income in connivance with his wife and others. It alleged that the sum had been invested in Life Insurance Corporation policies. The court had on February 12 issued summons against the accused, observing there was "prima facie" enough evidence against them. 

Special Public Prosecutor on behalf of Directorate of Enforcement requested the court to send them into judicial custody.Defence counsel submitted that the accused were not arrested by the ED during investigation so considering the fact grant them bail at this stage.The Judge, after hearing both sides, granted bail to Singh and his wife Pratibha Singh on furnishing a personal bond of Rs 50,000 and one surety of the same amount each. The court also granted bail to Universal Apple Associate owner Chunni Lal Chauhan, besides other accused Prem Raj and Lawan Kumar Roach. (UNI)