Shimla, Sep 22 - Steel Minister Virbhadra Singh Tuesday sent a legal notice to Himachal Pradesh Director General of Police (Vigilance) D.S. Manhas, asking him why he has given publicity to cases against him and his wife though it is still at the investigation stage.

The cases against Singh and his wife Pratibha Singh were registered by the vigilance bureau Aug 3 following a complaint of misuse of the official position and criminal misconduct when he was chief minister in 1989.

Singh in his notice said: 'The case was registered at the instance of Manhas... the only motive is to harm my reputation. It is no lawful part of duty of any public servant to give wide publicity to unsubstantiated allegations, which are yet to be proved.'

Manhas could not be reached for comments despite repeated attempts.