Delhi HC issues notice to PWD officials challenging show cause notices for renovating CM Kejriwal’s residence.

Delhi High Court Issues Notice to PWD Officials over Show Cause Notices on Renovation Work at CM’s Residence

The Delhi High Court has issued a notice on a plea filed by six PWD officials against the show cause notices issued to them by the Delhi Government’s Vigilance department. The officials have been accused of alleged gross violations of rules in the renovation work undertaken at the official residence of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

Court Seeks Response from Delhi Government

Justice Chandra Dhari Singh has sought a response from the Delhi Government through the Director of Vigilance, Special Secretary of Vigilance, and Public Works Department. The matter has been listed for a hearing on October 12.

Show Cause Notices Challenged

The PWD officials have argued that the show cause notices, dated June 19, have been issued by the Vigilance department, which is not authorized to initiate disciplinary action against them. They contend that as PWD officers, they are not subject to the jurisdiction of the Vigilance department in disciplinary proceedings.

Coercive Steps Stayed

Senior Advocates Salman Khurshid and Atul Nanda, representing the PWD officials, have requested the court to prevent any coercive steps against their clients until the next date of hearing. The court has agreed to this request.

Prima Facie Case Alleged

However, IAS officer Y.V.V.J. Rajasekhar, the Special Secretary of Vigilance who signed the show cause notices, has argued that there is a prima facie case against the PWD officials. He has also stated that the objections raised by the officials regarding the jurisdiction of the Vigilance department are baseless.

PWD Officials Claim Political Vendetta

The PWD officials have filed the plea, alleging that the show cause notices are a result of the ongoing political tussle between the Lt. Governor and the ruling Aam Aadmi Party. They claim to be made scapegoats in the matter.

No Violation of Rules

The officials further assert that they have not violated any rules, statutes, or office orders. They clarify that all the renovation work was undertaken under the instructions of the concerned PWD minister and not for personal gain.

Summary:

• The Delhi High Court has issued a notice on a plea filed by six PWD officials against show cause notices issued by the Vigilance department regarding alleged rule violations in the renovation work at the CM’s residence.
• The court has sought a response from the Delhi Government and has listed the matter for a hearing on October 12.
• The officials have argued that the Vigilance department is not authorized to initiate disciplinary action against them, as they are PWD officers.
• Coercive steps against the officials have been stayed until the next date of hearing.
• The officials claim that the show cause notices are a result of a political tussle and that they are being made scapegoats.
• They assert that they have not violated any rules and that the work was undertaken under the instructions of the PWD minister.