Delhi BJP seeks removal of DCW chief, dissolution of panel

Delhi BJP today sought the removal of DCW chief Swati Maliwal, who has been booked on charges of irregularities in recruitment in the women's panel by the Anti-Corruption Branch.
A delegation of Delhi BJP office-bearers led by party president Satish Upadhyay submitted a memorandum to Lt Governor Najeeb Jung, demanding dissolution of the Delhi Commission of Women (DCW) and removal of Maliwal as its head.
The delegation included BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri, party legislators O P Sharma, Jagdish Pradhan and other leaders Ashish Sood and Rekha Gupta.
"The memorandum drawing attention towards irregularities in the appointment of the staff without following statutory norms at DCW by Swati Maliwal states that with the registration of an FIR by the Anti-Corruption Branch, a constitutional and administrative breakdown has occurred at the DCW," a party statement said.

The ACB took up the probe on a complaint by former DCW chief Barkha Shukla Singh, who alleged that several AAP supporters were given "plum posts" in the women's panel.
"The memorandum lists that no public advertisement was issued for appointments and the ruling party cadre were appointed en masse with hefty salaries," it said.
"It (memorandum) has also raised the issue of undue hike in DCW budget by the Delhi government and in the miscellaneous expenses of the DCW office," the statement said.
The DCW chief, meanwhile, said that the FIR will not act as a deterrent for her and the panel will continue to work and raise questions which is "disturbing her opponents the most".