ACB says rules violated in contract, gives CM clean chit

In a report submitted before Special Judge Sangita Dhingra Sehgal, who put it up for consideration on December 3, the ACB said that rules were violated to give "undue favour" to ESP India in award of contract.

"The work (of lane test of commercial vehicles) was awarded to M/s ESP India Ltd on nomination basis without calling any tender with the approval of the council of ministers of the government of NCT of Delhi," it said.

The report was filed in response to a complaint by RTI activist Vivek Garg, who had alleged that the Delhi government gave the contract for lane test of commercial vehicles before grant of fitness certificates to them to M/s ESP India without inviting any tender.

"Wide publicity for calling of tenders was also not made which proves that the tender process/ norms have been violated and it is a matter of fact that investment for installation of system has been done by the transport department," the report said.

On the allegation that the approval was given by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, the ACB said "the approval was recommended only after obtaining the views of planning, finance and law department as per rule of businesses. However, no irregularities have been found on the part of Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and the then Transport minister." More