In a significant development, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has granted permission for an investigation under the Prevention of Corruption (PoC) Act into allegations of a ₹7 crore bribery against former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Satyendar Jain. The decision comes amidst claims from AAP leaders of political targeting by the BJP-led central government.
Key Details of the Allegation
The controversy centers around Jain, who was a minister in the Delhi government at the time of the alleged incident. It is alleged that officials from Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) bribed Jain during the installation phase of a ₹571 crore CCTV camera project across Delhi between 2018 and 2019.
According to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), the probe was initiated based on a complaint filed by Manmohan Pandey, a former employee of BEL. Pandey reportedly provided a signed copy of meeting minutes from a disciplinary inquiry in September 2019, where he alleged that Jain, then serving as the Public Works Department minister, demanded a bribe of ₹7 crore.
LG’s Decision and AAP’s Response
The lieutenant governor’s office confirmed its decision to refer the matter to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs for approval of an ACB investigation, citing compliance with Section 17 A of the PoC Act, 1998. This move follows a preliminary probe launched by the ACB last year, concurrent with Jain’s arrest in May 2022 by the Enforcement Directorate in an unrelated disproportionate assets case.
Reacting to the LG’s decision, AAP leader Atishi accused the BJP of orchestrating a political vendetta against the Delhi government. “The BJP is engaged in a conspiracy against the Delhi government day and night. More than 200 cases were filed against AAP leaders in 10 years. But to date, not a single rupee of corruption has been recovered from anywhere,” Atishi asserted, labeling the bribery allegation as yet another attempt to undermine AAP’s governance.
Implications and Further Proceedings
As the investigation unfolds, scrutiny will focus on the authenticity of the bribery claims and the involvement of BEL officials in the CCTV project. The outcome of the probe could have significant ramifications for both the AAP and the BJP, influencing public perception ahead of crucial political cycles.
Sources By Agencies
