ACB quizzes Sisodia in DCW recruitments case

The Delhi Anti Corruption Branch on Friday questioned Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in connection with the alleged irregularities in recruitments for the Delhi Commission for Women, an ACB officer said.

Sisodia was summoned to appear before the Anti Corruption Brach (ACB) on October 7 for questioning. Sisodia arrived at the ACB office at 11 a.m., and the questioning continued for at least two hours, the officer said.

On his arrival at the ACB office, Sisodia accused the Narendra Modi-led central government of misusing its agencies to target AAP government.

He told reporters: "We are working for the welfare of Delhi's residents, but some people can't accept and digest this fact. That is why, they are using the ACB and the CBI against us."

Meanwhile, DCW chief Swati Maliwal has said that ACB summon to Sisodia "reeks of political vendetta".

Soon after Sisodia reached the ACB office, Maliwal said in Twitter that Sisodia has no role in DCW appointments.

"ACB summoning @msisodia (Manish Sisodia) reeks of political vendetta. He has no role in DCW appointments. DCW was always autonomous," she tweeted.

Maliwal, also an accused in the alleged illegal recruitments case, has already been questioned twice by the ACB. She also accused the ACB of not taking action on her complaint against former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.

"Sad. ACB pursuing false case against me, not taking action on my corruption complaint against Sheila Dikshit for past three weeks despite evidence," she tweeted.

Maliwal last month accused Sheila Dikshit, and former DCW chiefs Barkha Singh Shukla and Kiran Walia of indulging in massive corruption and asked the ACB to "arrest and jail" them.

The ACB is probing the alleged recruitment scam following a complaint by former DCW Chairperson Barkha Singh Shukla, who is also a Congress leader. Shukla was Swati Maliwal's predecessor at the women's panel.

Shukla in her complaint to the ACB has alleged that Aam Aadmi Party workers were appointed in the DCW to fetch them financial gains. Altogether 85 appointments are under investigation by the ACB.

On the complaint of Shukla, the ACB registered an FIR under the Prevention of Corruption Act as well as under Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 409 (criminal breach of trust by a public servant) of the Indian Penal Code.

--IANS

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