Days after the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) registered a complaint against her, DCW chairperson Swati Maliwal on Friday registered a complaint with the ACB against her predecessors Barkha Singh Shukla, Kiran Walia and former Chief Minister Minister Sheila Dikshit accusing them of committing a financial fraud of over Rs 50 lakh.
Maliwal’s complaint comes days after the ACB registered an FIR against her in connection with alleged illegal recruitments in the women’s panel, on a complaint filed by Shukla.
“The commission while pursuing the files of the previous commission has discovered instances of gross financial irregularities and high misappropriation of government funds done by previous chairpersons, namely Barkha Shukla Singh and Kiran Walia, with some instances prima facie being carried out under directions of then Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit,” the complaint alleged.
The allegations in the complaint include financial fraud of over Rs 50 lakhs in name of Nirbhaya and a silent march for her on January 2, 2013, appointment of a sitting MlA as DCW chief providing opportunities for misuse of office, diversion of funds for political gains and personal glorification, paid interviews and irregularities in celebration of International Women’s day over the years.
“While holding the post of Chairperson her (Shukla’s ) conduct amounted to misusing of public office with aim to benefit certain individuals. Every year, a majority of the budget of the commission was spent only on organising such functions and giving out advertisements which has been criticised by audit reports time and again,” the complaint said.
Taking the war on Twitter, Maliwal tweeted, “Sheila Dixit, Barkha Singh even did fraud on Nirbhaya death. 50 lac spent 4 so calld march, money given frm DCW to company favored by Sheila,” (SIC).
“Every year, lacs spent by them on Women Day celebration. At times even 90 lac. Contract given to company without procedure to benefit them.” “Paid advertisement of lacs given by Barkha Singh in magazines to glorify herself. Only 1 case in 8 years and extensive corruption. Shame,” (SIC) she added.
Reacting to the complaint filed by Maliwal on Friday, Singh said it is a politically motivated move coming at a time when Maliwal and DCW are being investigated on her complaint and evidence provided by her. She further added that ACB should conduct appropriate inquiry and the truth should be surfaced.
Meanwhile Former DCW Chairman Barkha Singh Shukla on Friday issued a statement wherein she said that it was Kejriwal Government which stated that the irregularities in DCW recruitments included Arvind Kejriwal himself.
“It was Kejriwal who had in the first instance approached DCW office to give employment to one Raj Mangal Prasad while Shukla was the Chairperson of DCW.
The Press statement added, “In response to that she told the CM the power to appoint people in the commission rests with WCD ministry and CM office and the due procedure may be followed and that she has no authority to employ anyone.
CM also asked Shukla to go slow on cases against his party leaders Kumar Vishwas and Somnath Bharati and said these women always resort to using such tactics. He also indicated towards renewing her appointment as Chairperson. Ms. Maliwal and Mr. Vishwas were present during this meeting with Hon’ble CM.
She further added that Kejriwal is privy to each and every development made in the commission including the illegal appointments against which She had filed a complaint. Also to mention that no interviews or ads were given in public domain to invite people at large for such posts. DCW has also confirmed the same in a RTI reply.
“Men running a commission established to address problems of distressed women irked her and also the modus operandi adopted by these men who ask women who approach the commission inappropriate questions like how they were molested and where they were touched etc,” said Barkha.
“This very act led to the suicide of Soni Mishra who approached the commission but was harassed by the male staff hired by Maliwal. Smt Singh said that she has earlier mentioned that it is laughable to suggest that she has done only 1 case in her 9 year long tenure as DCW chief. Refuting these allegations and presenting white paper on the working of the commission she said in 9 years the DCW did more that 1.5 lakh cases.