Ashish Sharma, BJP Candidate, Questioned by Shimla Police in Horse-Trading Case

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], June 22: The Shimla Police questioned Ashish Sharma, a former Independent MLA and BJP candidate for the Hamirpur Assembly by-elections, in an alleged horse-trading case during Rajya Sabha elections. Sharma appeared before the police and claimed that the officials are harassing him and others named in the case.

Sharma stated, ‘Today I was called by the Shimla Police, I appeared in an investigation for two hours. I was on my way back to Hamirpur when they called me again. The higher police officials are misusing their power under the government’s direction. They are trying to buy time as the campaign for the elections is underway; they just want to harass me.’

He further alleged that the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh is promoting and protecting the mining mafia for his family’s benefit. Sharma has requested central agencies to investigate the mining mafia in the Hamirpur area. He said, ‘We tried through a small unit to provide good rates of sand and stone to the people, but after monopolizing, they are harassing small units. They are misusing administrative powers.’

The case was registered at Boileauganj police station in Shimla on March 10 under Section 120B, 171e, and 171c of the Indian Penal Code and Sections 7 and 8 of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The complaints include undue pressure and unfair means adopted in Rajya Sabha elections, horse trading during the budget, and the use of illegal means like helicopters and hotels.