Amid raging controversy over summon dates, the State Vigilance and Anti-corruption Bureau has now summoned Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) chief Anurag Thakur on a new date, October 31. Vigilance Bureau had earlier summoned Thakur on October 24, the day of his birthday.
Thakur alleged that the typed summon orders he received from Vigilance had date October 22, but was corrected by hand to October 24, merely to harass him on his birthday. Thakur made the issue as political with even ex-Chief Minister and his father Prem Kumar Dhumal saying that it is proud moment for Anurag Thakur to celebrate his birthday at Vigilance Bureau office. Smelling politics and having realised its mistake, Vigilance Bureau has now given a new summon date of October 31 to Thakur.
“The investigating officer of the case will not be available on October 24 and thus, the summon date was revised and fresh date was given to HPCA chief and there is no politics involved in it,” said a vigilance official.
Interestingly, when Thakur received the summon order, he sent an email to vigilance official saying that he being a public representative has lot of pre-engagements and can’t be present on October 31. Thakur insisted that he will be available on October 24 at Vigilance office at Dharamshala as per the previous summon order received.
Vigilance officials said that earlier date of October 22 was cancelled as it was Karva Chauth festival on the day and the second date was cancelled as investigating officer of the case was unavailable on the said date and to avoid any inconvenience, new date of October 31 was given.
“Anurag Thakur through mail has asked us that he will not come for investigations on October 31 and will appear on his birthday that is on October 24. We are not ready for that and we have conveyed him to come on the communicated date, without supporters and cooperate in the investigations” said ADGP (vigilance) Prithvi Raj.
On the other hand, BJP party workers are preparing in big way to welcome Anurag Thakur at Kangra where he will celebrate his birthday and go to vigilance office.