Dr Vijay Singla willing to give voice sample, HC told

Chandigarh, June 21

The Punjab Police today told the Punjab and Haryana High Court that former minister Dr Vijay Singla had not opposed the prosecution’s plea for taking his voice sample. Arrested in a corruption case, the former health minister in the AAP-led government had moved the High Court seeking regular bail.

In a status report placed before Justice Anoop Chitkara, Deputy Superintendent of Police Bikramjit Singh Brar on the state’s behalf submitted that the prosecution had moved applications before the Mohali Judicial Magistrate on May 27 for obtaining the voice samples of the petitioner and co-accused Pradeep Kumar for comparison.

“The petitioner and Pradeep Kumar, along with their counsel, had stated that they had no objection for taking their voice samples. Consequently, the application was allowed. The investigation is going on and will be concluded shortly. The petitioner is not involved in any other case,” the report added.

Taking on record the status report, Justice Chitkara fixed the case for July 4 for further hearing in the matter. Singla had earlier claimed that the case against him was an outcome of political rivalry and to wreak vengeance as he had “gathered unprecedented popularity among the masses”.

In the petition filed and argued by senior advocate Vinod Ghai with Kanika Ahuja, Kirti Ahuja and Edward Augustine George, Singla submitted that he was arraigned as an accused in the FIR because his political opponents wanted to tarnish his image.

Singla had submitted that the present FIR was lodged on the statement of Rajinder Singh, a superintending engineer on deputation in the Punjab Health Systems Corporation.