Chauhan case: MHA writes to Delhi

The Union home ministry has asked the Delhi government to prepare and submit a detailed report on its PWD minister Rajkumar Chauhan who allegedly tried to influence a team of sales tax officials investigating a tax evasion case against a south Delhi-based resort in February last year. HT reports.

The Union home ministry has asked the Delhi government to prepare and submit a detailed report on its PWD minister Rajkumar Chauhan who allegedly tried to influence a team of sales tax officials investigating a tax evasion case against a south Delhi-based resort in February last year.

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According to sources, the MHA has asked the city government to submit the report in three days. Confirming the letter, a senior Delhi government official, who is not authorised to speak to the media, said a detailed reply would be sent on the queries raised by the home ministry “within the stipulated time”.

Delhi Lokayukta Justice Manmohan Sareen had held the minister Rajkumar Chauhan guilty of “misconduct” of “grave nature” and had recommended to the President of India to “withdraw her pleasure” for the minister to continue in office, as he had “misused” his official position.

The Lokayukta had taken suo moto notice of media reports that the then trade and taxes Commissioner Jalaj Shrivastava had written to the Delhi government saying that the minister had asked him to recall his enforcement team from the survey of the resort.

According to officials, the Union home ministry letter is a part of the decision-making process by the President, which is expected to be completed by May-end.

The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party has been demanding Chauhan’s removal since the Lokayukta order came and had staged several walkouts in the budget session of Delhi Assembly.