Jaitley influenced probe in DDCA, alleges AAP

Stepping up its attack on Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in the DDCA row, the AAP on Wednesday accused him of asking the then Delhi Police chief to close investigation in a corruption case in the cricket association.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) released two letters purportedly written by Jaitley to then Delhi Police Commissioner B.K. Gupta and Special Commissioner Ranjit Narayan asking them to close a case related to the Syndicate Bank Cricket Club as he said "DDCA has done no wrong".

The purported letter by Jaitley, who was then head of the Delhi and District Cricket Association and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, to Gupta said a police officer had written to then DDCA general secretary S.P. Bansal seeking a reply to certain queries.

In the letter, Jaitley said the entire controversy was about the cricket club of the Syndicate Bank being converted into a private club.

The letter, dated October 27, 2011, said the bank "changed its position" to give ownership of the club to Bhola Shanker, who was managing the club, and who also agreed to it.

"The DDCA is willing to give the club back to be managed by the bank itself. But nobody seems to be showing active interest from the bank's side," it said.

However, some people, who are not employees of the bank or in any way connected with the bank or the club, have been pursuing some complaints in the matter.

"I would request you to look into the matter and ensure that the matter is dealt with fairly and closed since the DDCA has done no wrong," the letter said.

In another letter in May 2012 to Narayan, Jaitley made the same request, saying "certain office bearers of the Delhi and District Cricket Association are feeling harassed by the repeated questioning in this regard".

"The complaints are completely unsubstantiated and do not disclose any offence."

At a press conference, AAP leader Ashutosh said Jaitley "was aware of corruption going in the DDCA but he tried to cover up the matter".

"Jaitley misused his position as (then) Leader of Opposition of the Rajya Sabha to pressurise Delhi Police (on the DDCA issue)."

Demanding Jaitley's resignation, Ashutosh said Jaitley was fully involved in the DDCA's matters and also tried to influence the police investigation.

There have been serious allegations of massive corruption in the DDCA which was headed by Jaitley from 1999 to 2013. The AAP government has set up a Comission of Inquiry to probe the matter.