Lokayukta records Mishra’s statement
Sacked Delhi water minister Kapil Mishra on Thursday recorded his statement before the Lokayukta pertaining to his corruption allegations made against chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and his cabinet colleague Satyendar Jain.
Mishra has been asked to submit documentary evidences supporting his charges along with an affidavit within 15 days. Justice Reva Khetrapal posted the matter for further hearing on July 7.
Earlier, he was asked to appear on May 19. However, he did not turn up citing his health condition because of his indefinite hunger strike.
The notice came after a petition was filed by the legal cell of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Advocate appearing on half of the petitioner, Vijay Joshi told HT, “Mishra admitted before the Lokayukta that he had made those allegations against Kejriwal and Jain. He also made a few more submissions to substantiate his claims. The court then directed him to submit documentary evidences to establish his allegations. The Lokayukta also asked him to supply a copy of all evidence to the petitioner too,” Joshi said.
Seeking an enquiry into the matter, the petition filed by party’s legal team member Neeraj, an advocate, said both public functionaries have ‘abused their positions as such to obtain any gain or favour to themselves’.
The anti-corruption ombudsman may seek the documents which Mishra has given to AntiCorruption Branch (ACB) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to substantiate his allegations. The Delhi government’s anticorruption branch has written to the accountant general, Central Revenues, seeking details of the loss in the 2012 water tanker scam.
ACB chief MK Meena confirmed to HT that the anti-graft unit has written to the auditor general seeking these details. Meena said the ACB has asked about the flaws in the tendering process and if there was a violation of rules.
The ACB is expediting investigation after former water minister Kapil Mishra approached the agency, proposing to turn government witness against his former colleague, Arvind Kejriwal. The FIR was registered in June last year.