- Documented
- One report
- Years with no move on record
Summary
The vigilance officer probing the renovation of Kejriwal's residence had all his work withdrawn two days after the Supreme Court gave Delhi control of officers; the government accused him of extortion, and the Centre's ordinance restored him.
On the record
Rest is Ishwar ki marzi
The moves, and what came of them
Oldest first. Each fold is marked by how well the record holds it.
Documented
Special Secretary (Vigilance), DelhiAll work withdrawn; restored 22 May 2023 after the Centre's ordinance
Two days after the Supreme Court gave Delhi's elected government control over services (11 May 2023), the Vigilance Minister withdrew all work from the officer who, per IE's sources, was probing the excise policy, the renovation of the Chief Minister's residence at 6 Flag Staff Road, and a heritage demolition by a Jal Board CEO. He wrote that he was being prevented from working and feared 'diversion of records', and later said his office was opened at 3 am and sensitive files were missing. On 19 May the Centre issued an ordinance taking back control of services; the Vigilance Directorate restored him from 22 May.
- Up against
- Saurabh Bharadwaj; Arvind Kejriwal's government, Vigilance Minister / Delhi government, AAP Government: Arvind Kejriwal (AAP), Delhi.
- Reported reason
- The government cited complaints of extortion (see other_side_account).
- The officer said
- 'The undersigned is being prevented from performing the duties and I apprehend serious threat and diversions of records pertaining to sensitive matters like Excise matter, 6 Flag Staff Road, Civil Lines, DIP etc.' He called the withdrawal 'indirectly transferring the undersigned from this Department which is nothing but subverting the decision of the Supreme Court dated 31.10.2013' (reply quoted by IE).
- The other side said
- Minister's note: 'There are complaints that Rajshekhar is running an extortion racket and demanding protection money. This allegation is quite serious which needs to be examined in detail…Therefore, all work assigned to Rajshekhar is hereby withdrawn.' Government statement: '...Since central govt and LG are not letting us implement SC order, we could not transfer him and his work has been assigned to other officers.' (IE). It later called him 'thoroughly corrupt' and said he 'was one of the prime accused in the CNG kit scam, and the CBI had recommended disciplinary action against him' (India Today). On the break-in claim, it said it would investigate 'whether it is true or not'.
- Outcome
- Restored to duty from 22 May 2023; office de-sealed (HT).
- What became of the matter
- Unknown. HT: the NGO Abhinav Samaj, said to have accused him, 'later denied issuing any such document'. The fate of the renovation inquiry after May 2023 was not traced in an opened source. RTI drafted. hindustantimes.com
Order Delhi Vigilance Minister's note withdrawing work (as quoted by The Indian Express), May 2023
The same may be distributed amongst ADs and ADs will directly report to Secretary (Vigilance). The ADs should directly put up the files to Secretary (Vigilance). This is for immediate compliance till further orders.
The Indian Express, May 2023 · India Today, May 2023 · Hindustan Times, May 2023