Anti-Corruption Branch begins probe into CNG fitness scam
The move prompted Lt Governor Najeeb Jung's office to come out with a statement in which it justified his decision not to go for a high-level investigation into the case.
In fast-paced developments, Delhi Government's Anti-Corruption Branch on Tuesday reopened a probe into the multi-crore CNG fitness scam on a day it refused to allow an LG-appointed senior Delhi Police official to take charge of the probe agency.The move prompted Lt Governor Najeeb Jung's office to come out with a statement in which it justified his decision not to go for a high-level investigation into the case, citing an inquiry report by Justice Mukul Mudgal committee.Earlier in the day, AAP government transferred Home Secretary Dharam Pal, after he signed a notification appointing Joint Commissioner of Delhi Police M K Meena as new Chief of Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) following orders from Jung.The AAP Government also issued an order withdrawing Joint Commissioner of Police MK Meena, appointed by Jung, as chief of the ACB. Jung had on Monday appointed Meena to head the ACB superseding Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's hand-picked chief SS Yadav.Despite Delhi Government's order, Meena said he was holding charge of the post as he has got the orders from the competent authority. "I am still holding charge because I have got the orders from the competent authority. We had conducted a meeting with all officers. Our action will be impartial," said Meena.Delhi government sources said ACB began the probe into the 2002 scam following instructions by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and it is being headed by the agency's current Chief SS Yadav.The CNG fitness scam surfaced in 2012 when ACB found that the Delhi government had lost over Rs 100 crore by awarding the contract to operate and maintain certification of CNG vehicles at the transport authority in Burari to ESP India Pvt Ltd instead of ESP USA.
In the statement, the LG's office said Justice Mudgal committee noted with "satisfaction that in spite of this lack of application of mind, there appears to be no mala fide on the part of any functionary of the Government in processing the proposal."
In his directive to ACB to reopen the case, Sisodia said the case required reinvestigation from various angles as there were allegations of serious financial losses to the state. "The Central Bureau of Investigation in their preliminary inquiry had also questioned various aspects including certain observations upon the investigation done by the ACB," Sisodia said.
"It is unfortunate that the officers, who were investigated upon by the ACB, commented and decided to make observations upon the fate of the case. Perusal of the facts in the file indicates that attempts were basically being made to sabotage the case and the investigation," he said.
The LG's office said the matter was not referred to Home Ministry as the "powers of Central Government under Section 197 CrPC have been delegated to the Lt Governor who is within his rights as the representative of the President of India, to accord or deny sanction of any action." The AAP had accused the LG of trying to protect the guilty in the case by not allowing a CBI probe into the case.
AAP leader Ashutosh said, "We have enhanced the powers of ACB and now there is a CNG fitness case. The big leaders of BJP and Congress are in the dock. The LG himself is in the dock. That's why this attempt has been made. On Monday, ACB chief was removed and an FIR was lodged against Tomar. On Tuesday, Tomar has been treated like a terrorist. I want to tell Modi, Arun Jaitley and everyone in the BJP that AAP is not going to be cowed down."
Sources in Delhi Government said Home Secretary Pal's transfer order has been sent to the LG for his approval. The Home Secretary had issued the notification appointing Meena as the Chief of ACB following directions from the LG.
Meena is currently serving as Joint Commissioner of New Delhi range and the LG's order said he has been given additional charge of ACB. The Arvind Kejriwal government has slammed LG's move to appoint Meena. The AAP government and Jung had last month locked horns over the appointment of Delhi's Acting Chief Secretary, sparking a turf war.