DCW Chief In The Dock For Appointing AAP Workers By Subverting Due Process; BJP Demands Action

Taking into account the alleged misuse of power by Delhi Commission for Women chairperson Swati Maliwal, a court has ordered framing of charges against her.

A special court on Thursday came down heavily on the misconduct of the DCW chief as well as three other members in running the body.

The court found prima facie evidence that the accused had abused their official position in appointing Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers to different posts in the commission, that too, in an arbitrary manner.

The court ordered framing of charges under Section 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), read with Section 13(1)(d) (criminal misconduct by a public servant) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Along with DCW chairperson, the court also ordered to put then members of DCW Promila Gupta, Sarika Chaudhary and Farheen Malick on trial.

According to the prosecution, all the four accused in the conspiracy were involved in abusing their official position.

They obtained pecuniary advantages for the party workers and acquaintances of Swati Maliwal as well as the ruling party in Delhi. It has been alleged that such workers and acquaintances were appointed to different posts of DCW without following due process.

The appointments were made in contravention of procedures, rules, regulations, without taking out advertising for the positions, in violation of general finance rules (GFR) and other guidelines.

The court observed that the money was disbursed to various such persons towards remuneration, salary or honorarium.

The case was lodged by the Anti-Corruption Branch on a complaint by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former DCW chairperson Barkha Shukla Singh.

The court rejected the argument put forth by the accused person that DCW was free to create post or recruit anyone as it deems fit.

It said that such claims do not seem credible as DCW had sought permission of the government for the creation of posts.

It added that merely because DCW has been pursuing the government to fill up the vacant posts, which was not complied with by the government, does not give DCW any right to make appointments on its own whims. It is supposed to follow the established guidelines.

The opposition BJP has, now, requested the Delhi LG to take immediate action against Maliwal and remove her from the post.

The list of corruption charges on AAP is increasing each day, even as the party continues to issue itself 'honesty certificate'.

(With inputs from PTI)