The Delhi Police said on Friday that it has filed an FIR over the “unauthorised removal of confidential records” from the Directorate of Vigilance, allegedly under the instructions of Saurabh Bhardwaj, a minister from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The FIR was filed against unidentified individuals.
In a statement, the police explained that they took action based on a complaint lodged by the Special Secretary of Vigilance. The complaint highlighted false accusations against the Special Secretary and the unauthorised removal of confidential records during nighttime hours at the Directorate of Vigilance. Consequently, the Delhi Police registered an FIR based on the Factual Report submitted by the Special Secretary (Vigilance) of the Government of NCT of Delhi.
Meanwhile, the AAP minister claimed that Vigilance Secretary, Sudhir Kumar — appointed by the Lieutenant Governor — had written a letter to the Chief Secretary stating that “the shadow files were created on his direction.”
Mr Sudhir Kr, Sec Vigilance was appointed by LG not us. He had clearly written on 16.5.2023 to CS Mr Naresh Kr that shadow files were created on his directions. Nothing to do with Minister & it was in knowledge of his junior Mr Rajshekhar.
Still false FIR against unknown ? pic.twitter.com/Q6PlSNbKaw
— Saurabh Bharadwaj (@Saurabh_MLAgk) June 2, 2023
The Delhi Police revealed that the removed records involved sensitive information and vigilance matters concerning investigations into prominent individuals and officials. These matters were at various stages of inquiry.
Specifically, the records and cases encompassed chargesheets from the Excise Department, documents related to the Chief Minister’s Residence, inquiries concerning payments at the Directorate of Information and Publicity, matters concerning the Delhi Jal Board, investigations into gold theft in the Trade and Taxes Department, the alleged nexus between prison officials and the Minister of Prison, the demolition of a heritage structure by the former CEO of DJB, and the Feedback Unit, among others.
As per the police, “In the Factual Report, it was brought out that certain grounds were contrived to paralyse the ongoing inquiries and a false note was generated by Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj, alleging extortion racket against the Special Secretary looking into these inquiries and thereby divesting the said Special Secretary (Vigilance) of his work. This was followed by the breach and trespassing into the room of Special Secretary (Vigilance) as per the directions of Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj during night hours of May 15-16 for the purpose of tampering with the records with mala-fide intentions.”
