In a major development, Delhi Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Vinai Kumar Saxena has given approval to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to file a case against Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and six others, including an IAS officer, over allegations that the AAP Government, after coming to power in 2015, created a Feedback Unit (FBU) under the vigilance department to “collect political intelligence”.
“I am of the considered view that the case requires to be further investigated by CBI deeply, after registering a regular case. I, therefore, approve the proposal of the Directorate of Vigilance to forward the request of CBI in respect of Manish Sisodia, Dy Chief Minister, Delhi to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, the Competent authority to consider granting approval for ‘Investigation’ under Sec 17A,” reads the order issued by the L-G.
In its preliminary enquiry (PE), the CBI has found that the feedback unit (FBU) set up by the Delhi government collected “political intelligence and recommended that a First Information Report (FIR) be registered Sisodia and six others including an IAS official. According to the PE, the Feedback Unit has caused wrongful loss to the government exchequer to the tune of approximate Rs 36 Lakhs.
The CBI has recommended to convert an instant enuiry into a regular case under sections 120B r/w 403, 409, 468, 471 & 477-A IPC and 13(2) r/w 13(1)(d) of the PC Act, 1988 and substantive offences against Sisodia, Sukesh Kr. Jain (IRS-1992), the then Secretary Vigilance, Rakesh Kr. Sinha (retd. DIG, CISF), working as Special Advisor to the CM and Jt. Director, Pradeep Kr. Punj (retd. Jt. Deputy Director, 1B), working as Deputy Director, Satish Khetrapal (retd. Assistant Commandant, CISF), working as Feed Back Officer(FBO) Gopal Mohan, Advisor anti-corruption to the CM of Delhi and Others.The CBI had initiated a PE in 2016 based on a written complaint filed by the Deputy Secretary (Vigilance), GNCT of Delhi, KS Meena.
Prima facie, the agency noted, there was deliberate violation of rules, guidelines and circulars by "delinquent public servants"."The nature of violations committed is inherently dishonest and as such materials disclose abuse of official position with dishonest intention by concerned public servants Manish Sisodia, Dy. CM and Sukesh Kumar Jain, the then Secretary (Vigilance)," the report alleged.
According to the CBI, 60 per cent of the reports generated by the FBU pertained to vigilance and corruption matters, while "political intelligence" and other issues accounted for around 40 per cent.
The CBI also sought permission of the LG for registering cases against others involved in functioning of the FBU. Sources said Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has referred the CBI request to the President through the Ministry of Home Affairs, for registration of a case against Sisodia.