NEW DELHI: The Anti-Corruption Branch of the Delhi government on Tuesday filed a case against Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal over a complaint that the panel she heads was indulging in illegal practices, a top official said.
“A case was registered against Maliwal,” said The Anti-Corruption Branch’s chief Mukesh Kumar Meena told IANS:
Ms Maliwal was accused under Sections 13 (Criminal misconduct by a public servant) of Prevention of Corruption Act, 409 (Criminal breach of trust by public servant) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) on Monday night, the anti-corruption branch said.
On Monday morning, the anti-corruption branch questioned Ms Maliwal for over two hours.
The action came after the complaint was filed on August 12 by Delhi Congress leader and former head of the Delhi women panel, Barkha Singh Shukla.
In her complaint, Ms Shukla alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders were appointing their associates to the women’s committee and gave them financial benefits.
Ms Shukla named Prabhsahay Kaur, daughter of senior AAP leader HS Phoolka, Advisor to women panel’s Raj Mangal Prasad, and 83 others as beneficiaries.
She also claimed that all the names were obtained through a Right to Information (RTI) inquiry.
Ms Maliwal reacted sharply after the case was registered in a series of tweets.
She wrote: “Came to know that an FIR (First information report) has been filed. When nothing wrong has been done then one doesn’t need to fear, even from god. One has to sacrifice to change the system.”
“We used the same procedure of hiring which DCW has used for years. If something has changed then its work. Worked hard day and night. Have questioned system,” she tweeted.
She also said that “if corruption of even Re 1 is proved, she would give up her life”.
“System me baithe Nikamme aur nakara logo mahilao ke liye kam karna aur sawal uthana pasand nahi aa raha. Wo mere sawalo se pareshan hai (Worthless persons at the helm of things refuse to be answerable to a woman. They are uneasy with my questioning),” she added.
She was questioned by the officials over alleged illegalities. They have sought her response to 27 questions within a week.
IANS