‘Re-spinning old theories’: L-G refuses to review file on top officers’ removal

L-G refuses to reconsider decision dismissing Vigilance Minister Atishi's proposal for CBI probe into land acquisition case.

Lieutenant-Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena refused to reconsider his decision dismissing Vigilance Minister Atishi’s proposal seeking the removal of Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar and Divisional Commissioner Ashwani Kumar to ensure a “fair” Central agency-led probe in a land acquisition case, Raj Niwas officials said on Friday.

Sources in the Delhi government accused the L-G of turning down “all plausible arguments” in the proposal and questioned him for not “initiating a thorough investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation or higher investigative authorities” on the issue.

The case pertains to a 19-acre land parcel acquired in Delhi’s Bamnoli village by the National Highways Authority of India for the Dwarka Expressway project. The land deal allegedly led to undue benefits to one of the landowners, who was said to be linked to a business associate of the Chief Secretary’s son, Karan Chauhan.

In a preliminary report submitted to the L-G last month, Ms. Atishi alleged a “clear nexus” between Mr. Naresh Kumar, his son, and the landowner, who got “windfall gains” as the price of the land was increased from around ₹41 crore to ₹897.1 crore.

She also stated that the Divisional Commissioner withheld from her the relevant files related to the case on two occasions.

Mr. Saxena had, on November 19, rejected the report, calling it “half-baked, incorrect, based on preconceived assumptions and presumptions”.

On November 22, Ms. Atishi resubmitted the file to Mr. Saxena, asking him to review his decision.