10 months ago
Himachal HC Issues Notice Over Alleged Misuse of Funds in Dehra Bypoll
A court in Himachal Pradesh is looking into a complaint about how money was used during a recent election for a seat in the state assembly.
A politician who lost the election claims that the government and a local bank gave money to women and women's groups just before the election.
He believes this was done to get people to vote for the other candidate, whose wife is the Chief Minister.
The court has asked the government and the bank to explain what happened.
The bank has to give its answer by December 2025.
The politician also wants a bigger investigation, like by the CBI, because the Chief Minister's wife was involved.
Himachal Pradesh High Court issued notice to the state government and Kangra Central Cooperative Bank (KCCB) over a petition alleging misuse of funds.
The petition was filed by BJP candidate Hoshiyar Singh, who lost the Dehra assembly bypoll to Kamlesh Thakur, wife of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.
Allegations include KCCB disbursing funds under a state scheme to women and self-help groups during the model code of conduct period.
The petitioner claims this action violated the poll code and aimed to influence voters.
The High Court has asked KCCB to file its reply by December 11, 2025.
- Who
- Himachal Pradesh High Court, State Government, Kangra Central Cooperative Bank (KCCB), Hoshiyar Singh (BJP candidate)
- What
- The High Court issued a notice to the state government and KCCB regarding a petition alleging misuse of government funds during the Dehra assembly bypoll.
- Where
- Dehra assembly constituency, Himachal Pradesh
- When
- Notice issued on Thursday, October 30; Bypoll held in July 2024
- Why
- The petition alleges that government funds were misused and the poll code violated to influence voters.
Petitioner's Allegations (Hoshiyar Singh)
Potential Defense/Bank's Actions
Disbursement of Funds
Petitioner's Allegations (Hoshiyar Singh)
KCCB deposited money into bank accounts of women and transferred funds to women's self-help groups without demand, specifically to woo voters during the model code of conduct.
Potential Defense/Bank's Actions
The funds were disbursed under the Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh Samman Nidhi Scheme, implying a pre-existing government program. The bank's specific actions and intent during disbursement are to be detailed in their reply.
Violation of Election Code
Petitioner's Allegations (Hoshiyar Singh)
The actions constitute a gross violation of the poll code and misuse of official machinery to influence voters.
Potential Defense/Bank's Actions
The specific actions were part of a government scheme, and whether they constitute misuse or violation of the code is to be determined through the legal process.
Need for Investigation
Petitioner's Allegations (Hoshiyar Singh)
An inquiry by an independent agency like CBI or a judge is needed due to the involvement of the Chief Minister's wife.
Potential Defense/Bank's Actions
The court has issued notice and will decide on the scope of inquiry after reviewing the responses.
Key facts
- Court
- Himachal Pradesh High Court
- Respondents
- State Government, Kangra Central Cooperative Bank (KCCB)
- Petitioner
- Hoshiyar Singh (BJP candidate)
- Allegation
- Misuse of government funds, violation of poll code
- Bypoll Date
- July 2024
- KCCB Reply Due
- December 11, 2025
Quotes
Vikrant Thakur
counsel of Hoshiyar Singh
“The petitioner has also urged the high court to order inquiry into the allegations by an independent agency such as CBI or a sitting judge or retired judge as the matter involves the wife of the chief minister.”
theprint.in
“The plea has alleged that the bank disbursed amount to Mahila Mandals even without any demand to woo the voters.”
theprint.in
Hoshiyar Singh
BJP candidate
“The plea has been filed by BJP candidate Hoshiyar Singh, who had lost the bypoll to Kamlesh Thakur, wife of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, by a margin of about 9,400 votes.”
theprint.in
“BJP candidate Singh maintained that this amounted to gross violation of the poll code and misuse of official machinery to influence voters.”
theprint.in
