CBI probe sought against mayor

NEWDELHI: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) approached the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday against mayor of the North Delhi Municipal Corporation, Preeti Aggarwal, alleging corruption.

The party demanded a probe by the agency into six allegations, including her alleged role in influencing a tender.

“We have been demanding her resignation after her name appeared in different cases of corruption in the civic body. She even filed a defamation case against us but that is not going to stop us from exposing her,” Dilip Pandey, AAP leader told reporters on Monday.

The complaint has been lodged by Rakesh Kumar, the leader of the opposition in the north civic body.

“To take our fight to a logical conclusion, the leader of the opposition in the corporation has filed a complaint with the CBI,” Pandey said.

For over a month now, the party has been demanding an independent or a CBI probe into the allegations which she has denied. Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Anil Baijal had ordered a vigilance inquiry after a complaint by a Supreme Court lawyer.

“We know the vigilance wing of the corporation reports to the mayor. And a fair probe is not possible if she continues to be in the post. She might influence the probe against her,” Pandey said, adding that the mayor had earlier complained about cash crunch in the corporation and that she was unable to pay salaries.

The complaints against Agarwal, according to the AAP, include irregularities in awarding contracts and interference in the purchases and transfers of officials in the corporation. Aggarwal had termed the charges baseless and accused AAP of aligning her image.

“BJP Delhi chief Manoj Tiwari has acknowledged graft in the corporations. He should also apologise to the people of Delhi. Or, there should be a probe by the CBI into the allegations,” Pandey said.