Virbhadhra Singh PMLA case: ‪‪ED attaches Delhi farmhouse worth Rs 27 crore

The ED had filed a criminal case under PMLA against Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and others in 2015 based on a CBI FIR.

New Delhi: Days after the Central Bureau of Investigation filed a charge sheet against Virbhadra Singh and others in a disproportionate assets case, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday attached a farmhouse with a market value of Rs 27 crore in connection with its investigation into a money laundering case against the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister.

The agency has issued a provisional order attaching the farmhouse located in south Delhi's Mehrauli area under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

It said the book value of the asset is Rs 6.61 crore, however, its market value is "worth Rs 27 crore and is in the name of `Maple Destinations & Dreambuild`.”

The ED had filed a criminal case under PMLA against the 82-year-old Congress leader and others in 2015 based on a CBI FIR.

Congress has ruled out the removal of the Himachal Pradesh chief minister following the CBI charge sheet.

Party spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi had said last week that there was "nothing to worry about" in the case as it was done out of "political vendetta" and Singh will fight it out and emerge victoriously.

The BJP has demanded the resignation of Singh, asserting that he has become a "symbol of corruption".

Himachal Pradesh goes to polls later this year.