Jaitley to file defamation case against Kejriwal

Gopal Subramaniam to head AAP govt's probe into DDCA

Finance minister Arun Jaitley said on Sunday he would file civil and criminal defamation cases against Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and some other Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders, while the AAP demanded the former be dropped as minister for the corruption in Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA).

The AAP-led government in Delhi also decided to set up a commission of inquiry under chairmanship of former solicitor general Gopal Subramaniam to probe the alleged irregularities, including financial bungling, in the DDCA. “Gopal Subramaniam agrees to chair Commission of Enquiry on DDCA scam,” Kejriwal tweeted.

Following a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) raid in the Delhi Secretariat in connection with charges against Kejriwal's principal secretary Rajendra Kumar, the AAP has been claiming the search was to target Kejriwal and the agency was looking for a file relating to graft in DDCA.

Earlier, the AAP government had appointed a probe committee, which in its report recommended immediate suspension of the DDCA by the Indian cricket board. The Delhi government panel also suggested an interim committee of professional cricketers manage the affairs of the game in the capital.

The committee also recommended to the government to appoint a Commission of Inquiry under the Commission of Enquiries Act, while mentioning about the findings on DDCA's alleged wrongdoings by various probe panels in the recent past, including the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO).

After the press conference by BJP MP Kirti Azad on Sunday, AAP leaders held a media conference at the Delhi CM’s residence. “A case should be immediately registered against Jaitley," AAP leader Ashutosh said. "He must be removed (as minister) immediately, failing which AAP will launch a nationwide campaign against this corruption," AAP leader Sanjay Singh added. The AAP leaders claimed a DDCA officer who acted as a "whistle blower" had been regularly meeting Kejriwal in connection with DDCA issue.

Meanwhile, Jaitley said he has instructed his team of lawyers to file defamation cases against Kejriwal, Kumar Vishwas, Ashutosh, Sanjay Singh, Raghav Chadha and Deepak Bajpayee. Jaitley said cases are being filed in his personal capacity against the AAP leaders who have issued “false and defamatory” statements against him and members of his family. Jaitley added civil defamation suits would be filed against Kejriwal and others in the Delhi High Court and criminal defamation cases in the Patiala House courts.