Lalit Kala Akademi's record room sealed

The Culture Ministry has sealed the record room of Lalit Kala Akademi, government's apex cultural body, following the alleged tampering of proof by its secretary Sudhakar Sharma, who is facing various probes for alleged irregularities.
The sealed room number 205 contains records related to various inquiries against Sharma, who was dismissed twice in the past.
Last week, Sharma's aide was found present in the room, allegedly trying to tamper the digital and other records, following which the room was sealed by the ministry.
It is alleged that Sharma had managed to get a duplicate key of the room where documentary proofs supporting the charges against him are stored and also facilitated the entry of his aide to the room.

Sharma, who was reinstated by the Ministry last October, had been dismissed twice by the previous Akademi chairpersons over allegations of irregularities.
He joined the Akademi in 2001 on a four-year deputation and his post was regularised after the end of his tenure in 2005.

However, he was dismissed in 2011 by then chairperson who accused him of misconduct, several and severe lapses, and said he was habitually derelict. However, he was reinstated by the ministry which had issued directions that he should face a probe for the charges.
In February 2013, Sharma was again suspended by the then chairperson K K Chakravarty with several charges levelled against him by the Akademi including undertaking foreign visits without permission and alleged irregularities.

In May 2014, the Akademi even terminated his service, noting that his 2005 appointment was illegal.
However, the Ministry quashed the Akademi's order after Sharma challenged it before the CAT which directed the Centre to consider his appeal. But the Akademi ordered that he would remain under suspension while he was under probe.
Meanwhile, Chakrabarty wrote a letter to the President challenging the ministry's order, prompting the ministry to sack him and appoint K K Mittal as the administrator.
However, a women employee later filed a "harassment" complaint against Mittal, who got clean chit by the ministry after a probe.

The ministry is now looking at past records of Sharma, who is facing several financial and conduct-related inquiries.
Meanwhile, CAG is also seeking recovery from Sharma for allegedly getting his post upgraded with higher pay without the ministry's sanction and drew higher pay from 2003 till 2012.