Govt Denies Raid on Delhi CM; Kejriwal Calls Modi a ‘Psychopath’

CBI raids 14 locations in Delhi, UP; Kejriwal aide Rajendra Kumar under scanner. War of words escalates.

Kejriwal implied that the raids were a political move by the Centre. (Photo: The Quint)

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) denied reports of a raid at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s office early Tuesday morning, although the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) continues to claim that raids were conducted by the CBI.

Kejriwal broke the news on Twitter at 10:13 am and went on to attack Prime Minister Modi calling him a “coward and a psychopath.”

The CBI has said raids were conducted at 14 locations across Delhi and UP in a case related to Kejriwal’s Principle Secretary Rajendra Kumar.

Reports from certain quarters regarding search at Delhi CM’s office are completely baseless. CBI emphatically denies having searched the Delhi CM’s office. False propaganda must not be used to impede our investigation. CBI is committed to take action against corrupt as per law.

Devpreet Singh, CBI Spokesperson

Searches have been conducted at 14 locations in Delhi and UP. Papers of three immovable properties along with cash of Rs 2.4 lakh have been recovered from the residence of Rajendra Kumar. Rajendra Kumar was not cooperating in opening his email accounts. Foreign currency worth over Rs 3 lakh was also recovered from his residence. Another Rs 10.5 lakh have been recovered from co-accused, GK Nanda of GM TCIL and formerly MD of ICSIL.

CBI to The Quint

The CBI has registered case against four government officials including Rajendra Kumar, Principal Secretary of Delhi CM, AK Duggal, the then MD of ICSIL, GK Nanda, the then MD of ICSIL and RS Kaushik, MD of ICSIL. A private company, Endeavour Systems and its two directors have also been named in the FIR.

Names of the accused in the copy of FIR registered by the CBI against the Delhi CM’s Principal Secretary Rajender Kumar.

AAP Attacks Modi

Kejriwal implied that the raids were a political move by the Centre and

Delhi’s Deputy CM Manish Sisodia has accused the Central government of “intimidating” officers who were cooperating with the Delhi government.

This is a clear indication that government officers who cooperate with Delhi CM are being intimidated by the Centre. Files in Delhi CM’s office are being looked into; they should tell us what they want.

<b>Manish Sisodia, Delhi’s Deputy CM</b>

CBI Clarifies Raid Was Against Principal Secretary Rajender Kumar

The CBI issued a statement saying that the raid is connected to a case against the Delhi Principal Secretary Rajender Kumar (IAS 1989 batch) and that it was his office which was raided.

The CBI said, “We didn’t enter CM Arvind Kejriwal’s office or touch any of the files in his office.”

CBI registered a case against Rajendra Kumar, Principle Secretary to CM Delhi, on the allegation of abusing his official position by favouring a particular firm in the last few years in getting tenders from Delhi government departments. After taking warrants (sic), searches are being conducted in the office and residence of Shri Rajendra Kumar. The allegations against Rajender Kumar were raised by Ashish Joshi, member secretary, Delhi Dialogue Commission.

<b>CBI Statement</b>

Rajendra Kumar is known to be a close confidante of the Delhi Chief Minister.

Responding to CBI’s clarification, Kejriwal responded saying the agency was “lying.” Kejriwal also stated that “files in my office are being scanned with the excuse of raiding Rajendra.”

Kejriwal is expected to address a press conference later today to speak on the issue.

Scene outside the Delhi Secretariat. (Photo: ANI)

Govt Denies Involvement

Meanwhile, apart from the CBI, the government has denied Kejriwal’s allegations. Union Minister Arun Jaitley addressed the Parliament after the issue rocked Rajya Sabha.

The raids have nothing to do with Mr Kejriwal or his tenure. They are against an officer on allegations that involve his conduct before he joined Mr. Kejriwal’s office.

Arun Jaitley, Finance Minister

Kejriwal responded to Jaitley’s statement in a tweet within minutes,

It has become a fashion for the Delhi CM to quarrel with Central govt and to take the PM’s name for everything. CBI does not function under the government. Gone are days of Congress when CBI used to be misused.

Venkaiah Naidu, Parliamentary Affairs Minister

Arvind Kejriwal’s reaction on CBI raid is atrocious. CBI raids only when they receive a credible complaint. AAP came into existence on plank of anti-corruption movement, but now Kejriwal is supporting corruption.

Prakash Javadekar, Environment Minister

Earlier this year, Ashish Joshi, former member-secretary of the Delhi Dialogue Commission (DDC), sought a probe into the role of Rajendra Kumar when he was with departments of education, IT and health of the Delhi government, alleging him of indulging in corruption.

In his complaint, Joshi had alleged that Kumar, as director of Education (from May, 2002 to February, 2005) and later Secretary (IT), Secretary (Health) and Commissioner (VAT), had allegedly set up various companies to award work orders of departments without tenders which caused “financial loss” to the city’s government.