BJP demands CBI probe into construction of Ministry buildings

Delhi BJP chief Vijender Gupta alleged that an internal audit has found bunglings to the tune of crores of rupees, including in the construction of the Ministry headquarters known as Prithvi Bhawan.

"The contract of the building was awarded without following due process of tendering and it has been occupied by the ministry without proper clearance from the concerned authorities," he alleged.

Citing audit report and RTI queries, he said that no necessary clearance was granted to the ministry for the construction.

The delay in the construction of the building led to escalation of costs from Rs 49.8 crore to Rs 95 crore and still the building is incomplete, he said.

He also alleged that the building lacks essential safety measures and that the objections have been raised by NDMC, Fire Department and Buildings Department.

"There are huge irregularities and the ministry should come clean on all facts and place them before public. We also demand a CBI enquiry into the irregularities," he said.

Gupta also demanded an inquiry into the "mysterious" death of RTI activist Ravinder Balwani, who suffered fatal injuries in a hit-and-run incident in the capital last month.

"The death seems mysterious and the case is being hushed up. The family is alleging that he was murdered. BJP demands full inquiry in the case," he said.

Balwani, who retired from Delhi Transco in 2010 as a manager, was an aide of RTI activist Arvind Kejriwal and a member of his NGO, Parivartan. He was hit by a car on April 23 and died of head injuries three days later.

No arrests have been made and police claim there were no witnesses to the incident in Vasant Kunj market.