Did AAP get ACB to clear Spolia?

In what appears to be a sudden change in stand on the alleged involvement of former Delhi chief secretary D. M. Spolia in the CNG fitness scam, the AAP government’s anticorruption bureau initially said that the matter was very serious and it needed more time to prepare a final report. However, within five hours, the ACB submitted its second report, giving clearance to Mr Spolia of the said charges.

A highly- placed source said on February 27, the day of Mr Spolia’s retirement, the ACB was asked to submit its clearance report, in which addition- al commissioner of police P. C. Hota had specifically mentioned that the “matter regarding inquiry/ examination of self- contained note of the CBI on the subject P. E. is actively under process in this unit and considering the enormity and sensitiveness of the task, the finalisation of the same would require some more time.”

“Any hasty assessment and preparing the final report is likely to run the risk of possible incorrect presentation of facts and findings,” the report added.

However, at about 4 pm on the same day, Mr Hota gave another report ( having 18 points and running into five pages) to the vigilance department of the city government, clearing the names of three officials, including Mr Spolia. “This may have been done under the city government’ intervention otherwise how would the ACB change its stand so suddenly,” the source said.

The CBI, which had investigated a preliminary inquiry into the CNG fitness scam, had advised department inquiry against Mr Spolia, former IAS officer A. B. Shukla and former DANICS official Y. V. V. V. Raj Shekhar besides registration of a case for corruption against them. “The final call was left for the ACB to decide upon the matter,” the source said. By February 27, the ACB was probing into the CBI findings, but this sudden change in stand has raised several questions on the intentions of the AAP government. On the day of his retirement, the employees of the Delhi government had thrown a huge farewell party for Mr Spolia. The function was also attended by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia among others. Mr Kejriwal had gone on to the extent of saying: “We are not going to leave you ( Mr Spolia). Whenever we require your advice on critical matters, we will request you to share your expertise.”