lieutenant-Governor Najeeb Jung on Thursday hit back at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for questioning his role in the NDMC law officer MM Khan’s murder case.
A statement issued from Jung’s office said, “MM Khan’s murder is a tragedy and claims of the AAP are frivolous and therefore attempt to draw political mileage from this tragedy is sad.”
The statement issued by the lieutenant-Governor’s office said the Delhi Police arrested seven people within 24 hours, adding full recovery was made and further investigations are on.
“Further, on receipt of a proposal from the Chief Minister, the l-G promptly approved a compensation of `1 crore to the family of the deceased officer,” the statement said.
The clarification comes just days after l-G Jung’s office sent Delhi hotelier Ramesh Kakkar’s petition against Khan to the NDMC asking for “action as per law” following reports that the official was allegedly murdered for refusing to take bribe from him.
“A letter from M/s Prominent Hotels limited was submitted by Maheish Girri, MP, East Delhi to the l-G on May 10, 2016, stating that in any dispute between the licensee and the licensor, arbitration would rest before l-G of Delhi under Clause 54 of the license Deed dated July 16, 1982. This letter was forwarded to Chairperson, New Delhi Municipal Council vide U.O. No. RN/16/A-3212 dated 11.05.2016 for necessary action as per law”.
“Subsequently, an arbitration petition dated 12.05.2016 was also submitted by the same licensee in this Secretariat. This was also forwarded to Chairperson, New Delhi Municipal Council, for being legally examined and to intimate action taken/position in the matter. It needs to be mentioned that the matter had been duly processed on file in this Secretariat on May 16, 2016, prior to the tragic death of Khan, and the letter dated May 17, 2016 was issued in the normal course, without the knowledge of the tragic death”.
The l-G’s office clarification further stated that in response to the above, vide two letters dated 19.05.2016 and 03.06.2016 Joint Director (Estates), New Delhi Municipal Council stated that the license Deed had been cancelled and the cancellation was upheld by the Apex Court and thus attained finality; as such, the arbitration clause did not survive and the said reference had been filed by the NDMC.
“The position was duly noted in this Secretariat and vide letter dated 22.06.2016 of this Secretariat, Chairman, New Delhi Municipal Council was directed to ensure effective and expeditious action in the matter in pursuance of the Supreme Court order as also take all consequential action as per law. The matter was therefore dealt strictly as per rules and procedure. This indeed is the established procedure that is followed when such representations are received,” the statement said.