President refuses to sack Raj Kumar Chauhan

President Pratibha Patil on Wednesday rejected the city lok ayukta’s recommendation to sack Delhi PWD minister Raj Kumar Chauhan for his alleged involvement in protecting a leading resort in a tax evasion case.

The home ministry on Wednesday conveyed the decision of the president to the lok ayukta through a letter.

“The president has not accepted the findings and recommendations made by the lok ayukta against Chauhan,” the letter reads.

Expressing displeasure to the president’s letter, lok ayukta Justice Manmohan Sarin told DNA, “It is my duty to fulfil the statutory mandate and make recommendations without fear or favour. This is a process of evolution in the system and such set backs or reverses are expected whenever systemic changes are required and moral values are sought to be enforced and brought in place.”

Justice Sarin said that he will write to ministry of home affairs seeking reasons for rejecting his recommendation soon. He also cited a provision wherein he can submit a special report based on his findings and place it before the legislative assembly.

Lok ayukta had in February recommended to the President to “withdraw her pleasure” for the minister to continue in office, holding him guilty of misconduct of “grave nature”.