ACB questions Mishra in connection with water tanker scam

The Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) today questioned Delhi Water Minister Kapil Mishra in connection with the alleged 400-crore water tanker scam linking former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.
Mishra said that he was quizzed by one DCP, two ACP and three inspectors and he was not asked even a single question about former CM Sheila Dikshit, her work during her tenure as Chief Minister or any facts regarding a report on the alleged scam forwarded to the anti-graft body via Lt Governor Najeeb Jung last month.
"This scam was done during Sheila Dikshit's time. I set up an enquiry and exposed it. But interestingly, ACB is interrogating me rather than interrogating and investigating her," said Mishra, who produced himself before ACB today after being summoned in connection with the alleged scam.

Mishra claimed that when he asked the officers if any of them have read the report, on the basis of which the FIR into the matter was registered, all of them except one replied in the negative.
In June, the Delhi government had sent a report of a fact-finding committee on the scam to Najeeb Jung. Delhi BJP leader Vijender Gupta had also filed a complaint with Jung accusing Kejriwal of "suppressing" the committees report for 11 months.
Jung had forwarded both to the ACB and a case under relevant sections of IPC and Prevention of Corruption Act was registered into the matter on June 20.

"The entire focus of the enquiry was an attempt to frame the Cabinet Minister Kapil Mishra or Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. It seems like the ACB is all set to give a clean chit to former CM Sheila Dikshit after having received clear instructions from the establishment to save her and frame Kejriwal," Mishra said.

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Responding to why he took so long to forward the matter to ACB, Mishra, who is also the chairman of Delhi Jal Board (DJB), said, " It would have been counter-productive to refer this case to ACB. The case was likely to lead to involvement of former CM, Sheila Dikshit and also BJP people who were members of DJB at that time and those BJP people who remained silent while in opposition."

In a statement issued today, Kapil Mishra further said, "Soon after taking over as Minister (W), I had constituted a Committee to look into the Water Tanker Distribution Management System.
"The Committee submitted its report which indicates that the then functionaries and members of Delhi Jal Board including its then Chairperson, Sheila Dikshit had indulged in grave irregularities.
"On August 28, 2015, I wrote a letter to the Chief Minister. The CM called me to his chamber. In my letter, I had expressed fears that I would be victimised because I was pursuing this case.
"The CM reassured me that he will stand like a rock behind me and that I should not fear from anything as long as I was fighting against corruption. He also directed me to take all steps necessary in this case without any fear.