Delhi Minister Atishi Orders Probe Against Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar

Delhi Vigilance Minister Atishi has initiated an inquiry into a complaint against Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar. The complaint alleges that Kumars son was employed by a relative of a landowner who received enhanced compensation for land acquired for a road project.

Delhi Vigilance Minister Atishi on Saturday initiated an inquiry into a complaint against Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar. The complaint alleged that the chief secretary's son was employed by a relative of a landowner, who received enhanced compensation for land acquired for a road project.

Atishi Summons Files on Bamnoli Land Acquisition

Atishi directed the divisional commissioner and vigilance director to provide all the files related to Bamnoli land acquisition to her by 7 pm on Saturday. Sources said the Vigilance Directorate, in reply to a note from the minister, has cited various guidelines, including those from the Vigilance Manual of 2021, and pointed out that she has no authority to inquire into the matter, which is already being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Minister Provided with Certified Copy of Files

However, the minister was provided with a certified copy of all the files of the Directorate of Vigilance related to the matter. The directorate has also sought a copy of the complaint from the minister so that it could be examined in accordance with the Chief Vigilance Commission's instructions.

No Files to be Processed Through Chief Secretary

In separate notes to the divisional commissioner and vigilance director, the minister said no files concerning the matter are to be processed through the chief secretary since he is the subject of inquiry and therefore, has a conflict of interest.

Chief Secretary Maintains Innocence

Reacting to the complaint against him, the chief secretary has maintained that it is an act of mudslinging by disgruntled people facing vigilance investigation.

Chief Minister Orders Inquiry

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday marked the complaint for an inquiry and sought a detailed report in the matter from the vigilance minister.

Land Acquisition in Bamnoli Village

A complaint has been received by the chief minister regarding the acquisition of land in Bamnoli village for the Dwarka Expressway. It has been alleged that the two landowners -- Subhash Chand Kathuria and Vinod Kathuria -- are family members of a business associate of the son of the current Chief Secretary of Delhi, Naresh Kumar.

Enhanced Compensation Awarded

In May, then district magistrate South West Delhi Hemant Kumar awarded Rs 353 crore as compensation to two individuals for 19 acres of land acquired in Bamnoli, at the rate of Rs 18.54 crore per acre. The land was acquired by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in 2018 for the construction of the Dwarka Expressway.

CBI Probe Ordered

A CBI probe was ordered in the matter. Atishi said the Vigilance Directorate has already examined the issue of land acquisition in Bamnoli and the involvement of Hemant Kumar. However, the role of the chief secretary has not been examined yet. An inquiry has been initiated on this on the directions of the chief minister, she said.

The complaint against Delhi Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar has sparked an inquiry into the land acquisition process in Bamnoli village. The investigation will determine the extent of the chief secretary's involvement and whether there were any irregularities in the awarding of enhanced compensation to the landowners.