Brief – : Delhi’s political landscape trembles as Chief Minister Kejriwal accuses Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar of corruption, urging swift action amid Dwaraka Expressway land acquisition scandal. Read the unfolding saga.
Kejriwal’s Shocking Revelation: Corruption Allegations Rock Delhi’s Political Sphere
In a recent development that has sent shockwaves through Delhi’s political landscape, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has suggested the removal of Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar following allegations of corruption amounting to a staggering 897 crores. The allegations, outlined in a letter addressed to LG Vinay Kumar Saxena, accuse Kumar of irregularities related to land acquisition for the Dwaraka Expressway.
The Allegations Unveiled
Kejriwal, on Wednesday, penned a letter to LG Saxena, accusing Naresh Kumar of orchestrating corruption that resulted in gains exceeding 897 crores. The Chief Minister disclosed that a complaint regarding corruption had been filed against Kumar, prompting an order for an investigation on November 11. Within three days, Vigilance Minister Atishi concluded the probe and submitted a report to Kejriwal on November 14.
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Swift Action: Kejriwal’s Recommendation for Removal
In a bold move, Chief Minister Kejriwal, armed with the investigation report, wrote a letter to LG Saxena recommending the removal of Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar from his position. The letter, accompanied by the investigation report, has also been dispatched to LG Saxena for his perusal. Kejriwal has further instructed his Vigilance Minister, Atishi, to forward the report to both the CBI and the ED for further scrutiny.
The Background: Dwaraka Expressway Land Acquisition
The allegations stem from irregularities in the land acquisition process for the Dwaraka Expressway in Delhi. Atishi initiated an investigation upon revelations of discrepancies in the takeover of 19 acres of land in Bamanoli village, situated in the South-West district of Delhi, for the Dwaraka Expressway project.
Connections to Chief Secretary’s Son-in-law
The investigation uncovered that Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar facilitated gains exceeding 897 crores for companies associated with his son-in-law, Karam Chauhan. Chauhan, an employee of the Chief Secretary’s son, has allegedly benefitted from the increased compensation for the acquired land. Furthermore, companies linked to Chauhan have been awarded several government contracts, prompting a parallel investigation into potential irregularities in these dealings.
Escalation of Compensation and Government Contracts
The controversy deepened when it was revealed that the compensation for the Bamanoli village land had increased ninefold in the past five years. Originally valued at 41.5 million in 2018, the compensation skyrocketed to 353 crores in 2023 under the tenure of DM Hemant Kumar. The decision to raise the compensation was justified by Kumar, citing a misclassification of the land as agricultural when, in fact, it was residential.
The Highway Audit Revelation
The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) conducted an audit, exposing the exorbitant costs associated with constructing the Dwaraka Expressway. The audit revealed that the cost of building one kilometer of the highway was estimated at 251 crores, while only 18 crores had been approved for the same purpose. This stark contrast raises questions about the allocation of funds and calls for a comprehensive inquiry into the financial aspects of the project.
A Scandal Unveiled
As the Kejriwal government takes a strong stance against corruption, the removal recommendation for Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar reflects a commitment to transparency and accountability. The unfolding scandal surrounding the Dwaraka Expressway land acquisition not only highlights the alleged misconduct of a high-ranking official but also raises concerns about the financial management of crucial infrastructure projects. The investigations by the CBI and ED, as initiated by Kejriwal, are expected to shed further light on the intricacies of this evolving scandal.
