Shimla, June 25
Two days after he celebrated his 50 years in politics, a special court here today framed charges of corruption against Union Minister Virbhadra Singh and his wife Pratibha Singh in the controversial audio-CD case.

While announcing the order, special judge, BL Soni observed that “there exists a prima facie case against Virbhadra Singh and his wife under the Prevention of Corruption Act and Section 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC.”

Since both Virbhadra Singh, Union Minister for Micro Small Medium Enterprise, and Pratibha were not present in the court today, charges could not be read and explained to them.

The trial court adjourned the case sine die as there was pendency of petition in the High Court, which had ordered that “if the charges are framed under Section 240 of the CrPC”, further steps in the case shall be taken only after the disposal of the writ petition filed by Virbhadra Singh.

It means the trial court will now hear the case after a green signal from the High Court.

In his petiton, Virbhardra Singh has sought the transfer of the alleged CD case to the CBI and quashing of a police complaint against him and his wife.

Shrawan Dogra, the counsel for Virbhadra Singh, said: "After forming opinion to frame charge, the court has to put the charge to the accused and explain it to him. Then accused is asked whether he pleads guilty or not or he claims trial. Then accused is asked to sign the charges framed against him. This is the complete framing of charge. This exercise has not been undertaken today in view of the High Court's interim direction."

Virbhadra Singh and his wife were booked in August 2009 under the Prevention of Corruption Act for alleged misuse of his official position and criminal misconduct when he was the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh in 1989.

The couple was booked on the basis of an audio cassette released by Virbhadra Singh's political adversary Vijay Singh Mankotia in 2007. The cassette allegedly contained Virbhadra's telephonic conversation with IAS officer Mohinder Lal.