Court grants more time to ACB to probe DCW case

A court here on Friday granted more time to Delhi's Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) for further probe in a case of alleged irregularities in appointments made to the Delhi Commission for Women by its chief Swati Maliwal.

The ACB told Special Judge Hemani Malhotra that it needed more time for further investigation. The ACB also said it was awaiting sanction to prosecute other co-accused in the case.

On January 18, the court while issuing summons to Maliwal, had directed the ACB to investigate the matter further and identify those who allegedly connived with her.

The court observed that "from the material placed on record, it appears that the investigation has not identified the other associates of Maliwal in whose connivance the illegal practices were adopted".

Maliwal, who is out on bail, has been charged under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The ACB action followed a complaint by Maliwal's predecessor Barkha Singh Shukla of the Congress.

Shukla alleged that Aam Aadmi Party workers were appointed in the DCW to fetch them financial gains. The ACB investigated 85 appointments.

Maliwal denied the charges and said the action was taken to put pressure on her not to investigate cases against leaders of a political party.