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IN A move that shows a widening rift between the bureaucracy and the AAP government in Delhi, a senior official on Monday came out in defence of Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar, who is facing allegations of corruption related to land acquisition for the Dwarka Expressway, terming the charges against him as “dirty politics”.
Divisional Commissioner Ashwani Kumar told reporters at a press conference that the allegations against the Chief Secretary, who is retiring on November 30, were an attempt to scuttle his chances of securing an extension.
Dismissing allegations that the Chief Secretary benefited his son’s company to the tune of Rs 315 crore in the land deal, the Divisional Commissioner indirectly targeted the AAP government, which has ordered a probe into the allegations. He said the Chief Secretary’s image was being tarnished as he ordered inquiries in several cases such as CM house renovation, excise scam and matters related to the Delhi Jal Board.
“This is just dirty politics because he has ordered inquiries and taken action in several cases, be it CM house renovation, liquor and matters of DJB… So, that is why such lies are being spread against him which have no base… These are nothing but an attempt to malign his name,” Ashwani Kumar said.
As reported by The Indian Express, the piece of land in Southwest Delhi’s Bamnoli village, compensation for which was raised from Rs 41.52 crore to Rs 353.79 crore in May, leading to action against an IAS officer, is now at the centre of a fresh row. A lawyer has filed a complaint with the Centre as well as the Delhi government alleging that the son-in-law of one of the landowners is the director in a firm that employs the son of the Chief Secretary.
The Chief Secretary has denied the allegations, terming them an attempt “by the present set-up of the elected government” to malign him.
At the press conference, Divisional Commissioner Ashwani Kumar said, “Lies are being spread against the CS in the Bamnoli land acquisition matter. So, it is very important to place the facts of the case on record and take the truth to the public.”
He said the first notification regarding acquiring land for the Dwarka Expressway was issued in 2017. In 2018, the Additional District Magistrate, who is the first authority to decide the compensation, awarded the compensation against which arbitration was filed and the case continued till May this year.
“Following the court order on May 15, the DM passed the awards as arbitrator,” he said.
“The matter (enhanced compensation) came to the knowledge of CS during an inspection of the site conducted by the Central Minister, MORTH and LG on May 18,” he said.
When the NHAI complained about the high arbitration amount, it was noticed that it was “increased blatantly multiple times”. The Divisional Commissioner said that the LG then held a meeting and DM South West Hemant Kumar was issued a notice on May 19, asking him to explain the facts. In response, the DM sent “a long 34-page note and also the orders of the ADM, justifying his acts” on the same day.
After going through the note, the Divisional Commissioner said he issued a preliminary note to the Chief Secretary on June 2, asking for the department’s proposal. The department had proposed to “undo the wrong” committed by the DM and disciplinary action.
After two months, the Divisional Commissioner said, Hemant Kumar “agreed to his wrongdoing and said he will undo it”.
“The CS himself has several times strictly told DM South West during meetings that you are a young officer… undo the wrongdoings immediately but he did not pay any heed… After his callous attitude, disciplinary action against him was taken and the matter was also recommended to CBI,” he said.
He said the Chief Secretary had “nothing to do with the arbitration or award” and rather it was his “proactive approach and efforts” which led to action against the DM, for the matter to be referred to the LG and MHA leading to his suspension.
“The CS himself recommended action against the officer… But why is the matter being raised now when action has been taken and investigation is on?… Even otherwise, how is an officer to know that a relative of the promoter of his son’s employer is linked with an arbitration award which was never submitted before him…”
The Divisional Commissioner alleged that Hemant Kumar, apart from this case, was also found involved in corruption in other cases.
On being asked about the lawyer’s complaint to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, he said it was not shared with him but was sent directly to the Vigilance Minister for the inquiry. He alleged that ordering the inquiry was “basically diversionary tactics to dilute the case against Hemant Kumar”.
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“Cover is being provided for him… Investigation is already ongoing in the case… and action is taken against the DM. All these allegations are defamatory to destroy his (Chief Secretary’s) career,” he alleged.
Responding to the press conference, sources in the Delhi government said it was “extremely odd” that a senior IAS officer was holding a press conference “defending the actions” of another senior IAS officer against whom an inquiry had only just begun.
“Such press interactions are a violation of All India Services (Conduct) Rules and due action will be taken against the officer as per law… Instead of facilitating a smooth inquiry and allowing the truth to come out, Ashwani Kumar’s actions show that he too may be involved in the alleged scam and is trying to defend both himself and the CS,” a source said.
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