CBI may expand ambit of probe against Kejriwal's Principal Secy

New Delhi, Dec 24: CBI today claimed to have got material that indicate irregularities in the recruitment process done in Delhi government through ICSIL, and said it is contemplating to expand the ambit of probe against Rajendra Kumar, principal secretary to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

Agency sources said they had recovered four files pertaining to recruitment in the Delhi government. In one of the files pertaining to data entry operators' recruitment, several pages were found to be missing. This prompted the agency to dig deep into the recruitment process.

CBI is currently probing five instances of alleged corruption against Kumar spanning over a period of five years from 2009 to 2014 when he served in the Delhi government in various capacities.

The sources said probe may be expanded further and may involve much more officers and recruitment processes as well. They said nothing has been finalised and any further action will depend on details which might emerge during further questioning of Kumar.

Kumar will again be called for questioning in connection with the case as the agency has found five audio clippings in which he is purportedly giving oral instructions to the official concerned to allegedly manipulate contract terms, they said.

The sources claimed the purported clippings recovered from email account of Kumar indicate his influence over officers which have not been named in the FIR and they may be included in the charge-sheet.

The CBI said it has registered a case against Kumar and others on allegations against the officer that he abused his official position by "favouring a particular firm in the last few years in getting tenders from Delhi government departments".

Kumar has been booked under 120-B of IPC (criminal conspiracy), and 13(2), 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act (Criminal conspiracy, criminal misconduct etc) for allegedly favouring a private company in five contracts worth Rs 9.5 crore during 2007-14.

"The accused allegedly facilitated award of contracts worth Rs 9.50 crore (approx) to the said company through ICSIL (Intelligent Communication Systems India Limited) and misused his official position as public servant.

"The accused were instrumental in award of projects to the said private company in Delhi Transco Ltd; Health and Family Welfare Department, GNCTD; Delhi Jal Board and Department of Trade and Taxes, GNCTD," CBI had said in the statement after the registration of the case.

PTI