New Delhi: Delhi Lokayukta has sent a third
reminder to Union Home Ministry seeking the report on the
basis of which President Pratibha Patil had rejected its
recommendation to remove Delhi PWD Minister Raj Kumar Chauhan
for his alleged involvement in a tax evasion case.
Refusing to accept rejection of its recommendation, the
Lokayukta told the Home Ministry to provide its report as well
as the final order of the President so that the case could be
brought to a "logical conclusion".
"A letter has been sent to Home Ministry on Thursday
asking it to provide the details," a source said.
Delhi Lokayukta Justice Manmohan Sarin had in February
recommended to the President to "withdraw her pleasure" for
the Minister to continue in office after finding him "guilty"
of involvement in protecting a leading resort in the city in a
tax evasion case.
The President in June had rejected the recommendation of
the Lokayukta.
If the Lokayukta is not satisfied with the reasons for
non-acceptance of the recommendation, then he has an option of
presenting a report to the Delhi Assembly for a final decision
on the matter, officials at the Lokayukta office said.
In response to Lokayukta's first letter after rejection
of its recommendation against Chauhan, the Ministry had
informed the anti-corruption watchdog that the decision to
reject the recommendation was based on a report of the Delhi
Government as well as explanation of the Minister.
But Lokayukta, not satisfied with the explanation, sent a
second reminder to the Home Ministry in early July demanding
to see the file notings by the President for her decision as
well as Home Ministry's detailed recommendation.
In the second letter, the Lokayukta asked the Home
Ministry to provide it with analysis and recommendations of
the Ministry sent to the President.
The Lokayukta, sources said, sent the latest reminder to
seek reasons for non-acceptance of its recommendation so that
the case can be brought to a logical conclusion.
If the Lokayukta is not satisfied with the reasons for
non-acceptance of the recommendation, then he has an option of
presenting a report to the Delhi Assembly for a final decision
on the matter, officials at the Lokayukta office said.
Justice Sarin's order had come in a case pertaining to
Chauhan's alleged involvement in influencing a team of tax
officials when they were carrying out a survey in the Tivoli
Garden resort in South Delhi in February last year.
The Delhi Government, in its report to the Home Ministry,
said Lokayukta's order was not supported by facts and that
nobody can be punished on the basis of "whims and fancies" of
somebody.
PTI
First Published: Sunday, October 23, 2011, 18:39