The Delhi Government's Vigilance Department on Monday issued show-cause notices to several officials, including the Secretary, Joint Secretary and Deputy Secretaries saying they have not given any reply on merit and merely stated that the Directorate of Vigilance has no jurisdiction to suo motu issue Show Cause Notices to the officers who are working in Delhi Legislative Assembly Secretariat. This is the second show cause notices to them as they failed to submit their replies earlier. The notices have been issued to Secretary Raj Kumar, Joint Secretary C Velmurugan, and Deputy Secretaries Sadanand Saha and Sunil Dutt Sharma.
After the Vigilance Department’s earlier notice, the Delhi Assembly has already disengaged all fellows and associates with immediate effect. The notice was issued on Monday (August 14) by Special Secretary (Vigilance) YVVJ Rajasekhar who said that their replies were not on the merit and they just stated that the Vigilance Department has no jurisdiction to suo motu issue Show Cause Notices to the officers who are working in Delhi Legislative Assembly Secretariat.
“…it is informed that you are governed by CCS (Conduct) Rules 1964 and CCS (CCA) Rules 1965. No immunity is given to any public servant to indulge in any omission and commission prohibited by rules and law. Hence, you may kindly note that you were given reasonable opportunity to reply on merits, which you have failed to do so. The Department is processing the cases as per due process of law”.
“Now therefore, you are given final opportunity to submit your reply on merits on the Show Cause Notice dated 31.07.2023 within seven days, positively, from the date of receipt of this memorandum,” reads the notice.
The notice further said if the reply is not received within the prescribed time limit, it will be presumed that you have nothing to submit in this matter and further appropriate action as deemed fit shall be taken in the matter as per existing rules, without any further correspondence.
On 31st July, the Vigilance Department had issued notice to as many as four DANICS rank officials directing them to explain why disciplinary action be not taken against them for various omissions and commissions for violation of not only rules and legal provisions but also for actively facilitating illegal engagements and actions connected thereto. The department had said that if the reply is not received within seven days from the date of receipt of this notice, it will be presumed that they have nothing to submit in this matter and further appropriate action shall be taken in the matter as per rules.