BJP MLA from Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh, Sudhir Sharma, on Friday categorically rejected the allegations contained in an FIR reportedly registered by the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau regarding alleged disproportionate assets.
In a statement issued here, Sharma, who switched from the Congress to the BJP during the current Assembly term and subsequently won the bypoll on a BJP ticket, said the allegations levelled in the FIR were completely false, baseless, politically motivated, and devoid of any factual or legal merit.
“I believe the FIR has been registered under political pressure, and the Vigilance Bureau has acted at the behest of the present state government to target me,” he said.
The BJP MLA described the case as an instance of political vendetta and the misuse of investigative agencies against a political opponent to tarnish his public image. He said he had always conducted his public and personal affairs transparently and had duly disclosed his assets and income before all competent statutory authorities, including the Election Commission of India and the Income Tax Department, in accordance with the law.
“The registration of an FIR is merely the commencement of an investigation and does not amount to proof of any wrongdoing,” he said, reiterating that he had neither acquired nor possessed any asset through illegal means and that every property and financial transaction attributed to him had a lawful and verifiable source.
He expressed confidence that all facts, documents and records would establish his innocence during the course of the investigation.
Sharma said the attempt to portray legitimate financial transactions as disproportionate assets was wholly misconceived.
“The conclusions drawn in the FIR are based on assumptions, provisional calculations and an incomplete appreciation of the relevant material,” he said, adding that he reserved the right to challenge the legality, validity and correctness of the proceedings before the appropriate judicial forum.
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