Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has recently made explosive allegations of corruption within the top ranks of the Delhi government.
The accusations point towards Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar, the senior-most civil servant in the Delhi government.
According to a report sent by Kejriwal to Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, there is “prima facie” proof of corruption involving a land deal manipulated by Kumar in collaboration with the National Highways Authority.
The deal is said to have resulted in a staggering profit of ₹ 315 crore for a company linked to Kumar’s son.
Corruption Unveiled: The Allegations
The allegations against Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar surfaced when it was revealed that he allegedly manipulated a land acquisition deal involving the National Highways Authority.
The deal in question aimed to ensure a profit of ₹ 313 crore for a company connected to Kumar’s son. Arvind Kejriwal, in his report, claims to have “prima facie” evidence of corruption and recommends that Kumar be removed from his post and suspended pending an inquiry.
The report, which spans 670 pages, also recommends the removal of Divisional Commissioner Ashwani Kumar from his position.
While Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar has yet to react to the allegations, Divisional Commissioner Ashwani Kumar spoke out in support of him.
Naresh Kumar dismissed the accusations as an attempt at mud-slinging by disgruntled individuals facing corruption charges themselves.
Kejriwal’s office had initially received a complaint from an anonymous lawyer regarding the sale of a 19-acre plot of land.
The National Highways Authority had purchased the land for the construction of the Dwarka Expressway in 2018. The original sale price of ₹ 41.52 crore was raised to ₹ 353.79 crore by Hemant Kumar, the then South West Delhi district magistrate. Hemant Kumar was subsequently suspended, and his decision was overturned.
The Political Battle and CBI-ED Probe
This corruption scandal comes at a time when the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), led by Arvind Kejriwal, is at odds with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which controls the central government.
The BJP’s control over the Delhi Services Bill enables them to transfer bureaucrats and employees within the city, further intensifying the political conflict.
Additionally, Kejriwal and his party are currently facing a joint investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in relation to the Delhi liquor policy case.
Former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and top leader Sanjay Singh have been arrested in connection with this case.
Kejriwal himself was summoned for questioning but did not comply. Government sources suggest that the CBI may investigate potential conspiracy angles involving vested interests seeking to tarnish the Chief Secretary’s image.
Vigilance Minister’s Report and Money Laundering Suspicions
The report submitted by the Vigilance Minister also raises concerns about possible money laundering in the land purchase and subsequent compensation awarded to the current owners.
The minister recommends referring the matter to the Enforcement Directorate for further investigation. These suspicions stem from the land acquisition by its current owners in 2015 and the subsequent “not legal compensation” granted in 2023.
Arvind Kejriwal’s explosive allegations of corruption within the top ranks of the Delhi government have unveiled a massive scandal involving Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar.
The allegations of manipulating a land deal with the National Highways Authority for personal gain have shaken the political landscape in Delhi.
As investigations by the CBI and ED proceed, the truth behind these allegations and their implications for the Delhi government will become clearer.
