Gehlot's Former OSD Lokesh Sharma Provides Evidence to Delhi Police in Phone-Tapping Investigation

Lokesh Sharma, former OSD to ex-Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot, stated he has given evidence to Delhi Police's crime branch. This evidence supports his claim that Gehlot provided him with call recordings of Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat during the 2020 political crisis. Sharma visited the crime branch office in New Delhi, submitting a pen drive, laptop, and phone for investigation.

Last week, Delhi Police questioned Sharma regarding a phone-tapping case filed by Shekhawat. Sharma had earlier submitted a seven-page statement detailing events from July 16, 2020. He alleged receiving a pen drive with call recordings from Gehlot for media circulation. "I have provided all evidence in support of my statement. Now Gehlot should be summoned for interrogation," Sharma asserted.

Political Crisis and Allegations

The political turmoil stemmed from a rebellion led by then Deputy CM Sachin Pilot and 18 Congress leaders against Gehlot's leadership. During this period, audio clips of alleged conversations between Shekhawat and Congress leaders emerged. Gehlot accused Shekhawat of attempting to overthrow his government.

In April this year, Sharma publicly claimed that an audio clip of a supposed conversation between Shekhawat and Congress leaders was handed to him by Gehlot. He stated that the pen drive contained three call recordings, including two involving Shekhawat with Congress leaders.

Details of Evidence Submission

Sharma explained that he transferred the recordings from the pen drive to a laptop and then to his phone before sharing them on social media. He maintained that he was not involved in intercepting calls, attributing it to directions from Gehlot.

In March 2021, Delhi Police filed an FIR against Sharma on charges of criminal conspiracy, breach of trust, and unlawful interception of calls based on Shekhawat's complaint. The case revolves around the circulation of clips allegedly discussing plans to topple the Congress government.

The investigation continues as Sharma insists on Gehlot's involvement in providing the recordings. The situation highlights ongoing tensions within Rajasthan's political landscape during the 2020 crisis.