New Delhi: Delhi Lokayukta on Wednesday decided to initiate a probe against eight MCD councillors who were purportedly seen demanding money for allowing illegal construction in their areas in a sting operation by a news channel.
Lokayukta Justice Manmohan Sarin issued notices to the councillors asking them to respond to the allegations by January 16.
The decision to issue notices and initiate the probe came after the Lokayukta examined all the footage as well as original recordings of the sting operation provided by a news channel. Lokayukta had also recorded statements of two reporters which had carried out the sting operation.
"Having viewed the DVD recordings of the conversation of the reporters with councillors, as also perusal of the transcripts of the same and the programme as telecast brings out the involvement of the respondent councillors, who have been separately found in the sting operation to be negotiating the terms of illegal gratification in consideration for ensuring carrying out of illegal construction," Sarin said in an order. Eight councillors -- six from BJP and two from Congress, including a former Mayor -- were caught on camera in the sting operation, following which they were suspended from their parties.
PTI