M A I N   N E W S

Vigilance quizzes VC for 4 hours
Granted interim bail
Tribune News Service

Shimla, September 4
A team of the Vigilance Department today questioned Dr S.D. Sharma, Vice-Chancellor of the Himachal Pradesh University, for about four hours in connection with the case registered against him under the Prevention of Corruption Act and other Sections of the IPC.

According to sources, the DSP in charge of the investigations asked Dr Sharma to join the investigations soon after he was granted bail by the high court. Dr Sharma reached the Vigilance Headquarters at 2.30 p.m. and remained there till 6.30 pm.

Besides the DSP, Mr Vinod Sharma, Mr D.S. Minhas, for the Inspector-General of Police, and Mr A.P. Siddiqui, quizzed him regarding his role in the alleged irregularities in printing of question papers and other allegations.

Dr Sharma denied all charges and refused to divulge anything about secrecy matters which, he maintained, were highly confidential and looked after by a Deputy Registrar. He reportedly said he had nothing to do with the printing of question papers as the matter was handled by the secrecy officer.

Earlier Mr Justice K.C. Sud of the Himachal Pradesh High Court today granted interim bail to Dr S.D. Sharma, Vice-Chancelllor of Himachal Pradesh University, up to September 15 in connection with the case registered by the Vigilance Department against him.

The state was asked to produce the relevant record on the next hearing.