After occupying the prime time slot for all the wrong reasons, the Delhi government has come up with a solution to their problems: leakages. Sources within the party state that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal sees the biggest threat to AAP comes from 'leakers' and wants them to be punished.
As a result, the Delhi Cabinet, in a recent cabinet meeting, directed Delhi Chief Secretary MM Kutty to carry out a probe into the leakages that discloses wrong doings of the government and punish "leakers" — whether they be top bureaucrats or low level government officials. As per the Delhi Cabinet directions, the Chief Secretary, if needed, may also look into visitors' book of Lieutenant Governor Office and also check call details records of officers working in LG Secretariat .
It's not just this. The Delhi Cabinet has resorted to more draconian measures to crack down on leakers. It has also directed Kutty that if the job requires putting bureaucrats and visitors' mobile numbers on surveillance, then he must do it.
The meeting, chaired by Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, also pulled up Kutty and asked him how information regarding the government, which affected the image of the Chief Minister, was getting leaked in the media. During the course of the meeting, Sisodia also discussed how Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal's directive to Kutty about the recovery of Rs 97 crore — allegedly spent by the Delhi Chief Minister on advertisements promoting the party — had also become a media headline.
Exclusive documents accessed by DNA state: "The Chief Secretary was told to conduct an inquiry to ascertain as to how the copies of noting in which Honourable Lieutenant Governor had directed the recovery of Rs 97 crore from the Aam Aadmi Party were leaked to the media."
The document also added: "If needed, call details of relevant staff members and visitors' register etc may be may be examined to find out the source of the leak. The inquiry report of the Chief Secretary should be submitted to the cabinet."
Previously, the Delhi government had asked all its officials to lodge a complaint with the Principal Secretary (Home) if they come across any news item which damages the reputation of the CM or the government so that further action can be initiated.
In a circular dated May 6, 2015 — that was heavily criticised and later withdrawn — the government stated that if "any person makes or publishes any defamatory imputation against the chief minister/ministers of the Government of NCT of Delhi or any public servant employed in connection with the affairs of the government of NCT of Delhi," that person could face action against the Principal Secretary (Home).
The circular then further said that the Principal Secretary (Home) would examine the matter and seek the opinion of the Director (prosecution) as to whether prosecution under section 499/500 of the IPC could be launched against the offender.
"If as the per the opinion of the Director (prosecution) offence of defamation under section 499 is made out, the Principal Secretary (Home) will refer the matter to the Law Department for examining the matter and obtain the sanction of government under section 199 (4) of the CrPC. After the sanction of the government is obtained, the Home Department will forward the case to the Public Prosecutor for making a complaint under section 199 (2) of CrPC in the court of law of competent jurisdiction," the circular had stated.
Apart from the issue of media leaks, the Delhi Cabinet also accused the Delhi Chief Secretary of bypassing ministers and allegedly sending important files directly to the Lieutenant Government. The cabinet notes also stated, "Chief Secretary to present a complete list of all the files sent by him -- on subject other than police, law and order, land and services -- directly to Honourable Lt Governor bypassing respective ministers."
The cabinet is believed to have asked Kutty to give an explanation under what law he is doing so. "Quote the law under which the files were sent and the reasons for bypassing ministers," the Cabinet asked him. The cabinet also asked Kutty to present the list of files that he sent directly to Baijal.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Arvind Kejriwal")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}