Shimla, Jan 1 (IANS) Police is likely to start within a month the prosecution against union Steel Minister Virbhadra Singh and his wife Pratibha Singh in corruption cases registered against them, an official said here Friday.
“We are still awaiting a few forensic reports from a Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL)… most likely the prosecution against Virbhadra Singh and his wife would start within a month,” Director General of Police (Vigilance) D.S. Manhas told reporters.

Regarding the questionnaires sent to the couple, Manhas said: “We got the replies to the questionnaire. Both the questionnaires have about 25 questions.”

The cases against Singh and his wife were registered Aug 3, 2009, by the state vigilance and anti-corruption bureau under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The complaint against Singh alleges misuse of his official position and criminal misconduct when he was chief minister of the state in 1989.

According to police, they were booked on the basis of an audio CD released by Singh’s political adversary Vijai Singh Mankotia in 2007.

In the CD, Singh was heard referring to some monetary transactions on the phone with former Indian Administrative Officer (IAS) officer Mahinder Lal, who is now dead. The CD also contained recordings of his wife and some industrialists.

Manhas said that four of the nine people identified in the CD are dead.

“Four are dead out of the nine accused. It is still to be decided that who is the main accused,” the police official added.

Singh has already refuted the allegations, saying the state’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party was trying to malign him.