Delhi LG Rejects Atishis Report On Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar

Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena has refused to consider a report of Vigilance Minister Atishi alleging prima facie complicity of Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar in the Bamnoli land acquisition matter.

New Delhi: Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena has refused to consider a report of Vigilance Minister Atishi alleging prima facie complicity of Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar in the Bamnoli land acquisition matter, saying it seems to be completely based on the ministers preconceived assumptions and presumptions, sources in the Raj Niwas said on Sunday.

LG's Refusal

On its end, the Delhi government said the LG should allow an impartial enquiry by CBI into the matter and not prejudge the matter and protect certain individuals because of his fondness for them.

In a file noting the governments submission of the report to him, Saxena has said the report could very well go on to hamper the ongoing investigation, instead of facilitating it.

Selective Leaks

Noting that selective text from the report has been purportedly leaked to the media, the LG has said it appears prima facie that the whole motive of this supposed inquiry was not to unearth the truth, but to start a media trial and politicise this whole issue, even as it is before the Supreme Court.

Ongoing CBI Investigation

Saxena has also pointed out that the matter is already being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation CBI.

Since the matter is already under investigation by the CBI as approved by me based on recommendations of the Chief Secretary and the Divisional Commissioner, it is my considered view that the recommendation ... before me for consideration is prejudiced and devoid of merit and therefore, cannot be agreed to, he has said.

AAP's Reaction

Reacting to the development, the AAP dispensation said it is a brazen attempt on the part of the LG to protect his favourite officers, namely the chief secretary and divisional commissioner.

If they have done nothing wrong, why is LG obstructing an enquiry against them? The Vigilance Ministers report was prompted because of a whistleblower complaint and media reports highlighting CSs role in the scam, yet the LG has chosen to launch a political attack on the government itself. In all fairness, all available evidence should be forwarded to CBI to enable them to conduct an impartial enquiry, they charged.

CBI Referral

Regarding LGs objection that only he has the power to refer any matter to CBI, the government said that matter is already registered with CBI and now, any citizen, who has any evidence in that case, can send the same to CBI.

We request the Honble LG to allow an impartial enquiry by CBI into the matter and not prejudge the matter and protect certain individuals because of his fondness for them.

Conflict of Interest

The enquiry itself was compromised because the CS, being the Chief Vigilance Officer, presided over the Vigilance investigation while himself having close connections with the beneficiaries of this scam,” they said.

This is a clear case of conflict of interest and a violation of Para c of Section 11.7 of the Vigilance Manual. Further, the enquiry sought to hide the true scale of the scam by valuing it at Rs 312 Crore instead of Rs 850 Crore as was brought out in the Ministers report. All these important facts have been conveniently ignored by the LG. Why is the LG so eager and impatient to give a clean chit to his favourite officers without an enquiry? they asked.

LG Secretariat's Response

Reacting to the Delhi government charges, LG Secretariat officials said, The note being attributed to the LG Secretariat appears prima facie to be a reasoned speaking order. It is despicable and unfortunate that the government and AAP are resorting to politically targeting the LG by indulging in abusive mud-slinging.

As far as sending the report to CBI/ED is concerned, they could very well have sent it as individuals as they claim they could have, officials said.

However, they sent it in their capacity as CM and minister, which is grossly illegal and unconstitutional. Their reaction is nothing but an exercise in frustration driven cover up, they charged.

The 19-acre land in question was acquired by the National Highways Authority of India in 2018 for the construction of the Dwarka Expressway. The matter has taken a political turn with the AAP government and the LG at loggerheads over the issue.