Investigations into the charges of disproportionate assets and corruption against Maharashtra-cadre IPS officer and Punjab’s former DGP S S Virk have started once again with Patiala SSP S K Asthana taking over all files relating to the case from the Punjab Vigilance Department. SSP Asthana was ordered by the Punjab Government to take over the probe in the wake of directions from the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Sources said he has started assessing the value of properties owned by the former DGP in Chandigarh and Punjab, including his prime property in Zirakpur. Virk’s various bank accounts have also been put under the scanner. The probe panel has sought all details of Virk's accounts and a number of bank officials have been summoned in this regard, said the sources.The Punjab and Haryana High Court had directed the Punjab Home Secretary to set up a new probe panel under the supervision of a SSP-rank officer. The court had earlier disbanded the Punjab Vigilance Bureau probe in the case. Virk has also been charged with duping a widow of her prime land worth crores of rupees in Kharar, near Chandigarh.Last November, the Punjab Vigilance Department had arrested Virk, a 1970-batch IPS officer of the Maharashtra cadre, after registering corruption and disproportionate assets case against him. Virk was the DGP of Punjab during the previous Congress regime led by Capt Amarinder Singh. The Parkash Singh Badal-led Akali Dal Government suspended him after coming to power in last March. Virk had since returned to his parent state of Maharashtra as a DGP-rank officer.
