Centre brands Delhi govt's attempt to probe CNG scam 'illegal'
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi and the Centre, led by the BJP, are headed for another showdown as the Union ministry of home affairs (MHA) has termed the commission of inquiry constituted by AAP to probe the CNG fitness scam legally invalid and void.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi and the Centre, led by the BJP, are headed for another showdown as the Union ministry of home affairs (MHA) has termed the commission of inquiry constituted by AAP to probe the CNG fitness scam legally invalid and void.
A press release issued by the Lieutenant Governor’s (L-G) office stated, “The MHA has conveyed its decision on the subject of the constitution of a Commission of Inquiry into the award of work related to the CNG Fitness Certificate(s) in Transport Department.
It has been clarified that the Delhi government is not the competent authority to set up such an inquiry under various provisions of the Constitution and the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952. The notification issued by the Delhi government has therefore been declared legally invalid and void ab initio”.
The Delhi government, however, said that it has not received any such communication so far.
The state Cabinet in a meeting chaired by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on August 11 decided to constitute an independent commission of inquiry chaired by Justice (retired) SN Agarwal, a former judge of the Delhi and the Madhya Pradesh high courts.
The inquiry commission is supposed to look into all the investigations and developments that have taken place so far in this case, including wrongful denials of sanctions to prosecute guilty officials and dereliction of duty in taking action against those involved in the scam.
The government decision follows large-scale complaints that deliberate attempts have been made to hush-up a mega scam in which there are allegations of more than Rs 100 crore loss to the state exchequer.
“Two agencies—the central bureau of investigation (CBI) and the ACB, separately found sufficient evidence to proceed against several serving and retired officials of Delhi government,” a Delhi government spokesperson had said.