Kirti Azad sharpens attack on Jaitley; FM to file defamation case today

Addressing the media with former player Bishan Singh Bedi, Azad sought an investigation by the Enforcement Directorate into the working of the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA).

“An investigation by a media group revealed that 14 companies which were given contracts and paid crores did not exist. They were fake companies and cheques were issued without actual work on the ground,” said Azad. A video was also played to show that the companies exist only on paper.

“DDCA hired office and other equipment at Rs 16,000 for a laptop per day, Rs 3,000 for printer per day, Rs 5,000 for ‘puja ki thali’,” he added. Azad, however, emphasised that he was not against any person but was only speaking against the corruption that existed in DDCA. “Please refrain from making it a personal fight between me and any other leader,” said Azad, demanding inquiry by Enforcement Directorate.

“Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) checks records only. It’s not an investigative agency to investigate into the veracity of the companies and their physical existence. It’s the work of CBI and ED,” said Azad.

Meanwhile, the Delhi government has decided to set up a commission of inquiry under chairmanship of former Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium to probe alleged irregularities including financial bungling in the Capital’s cricket body. “The inquiry will begin very soon,” a Delhi government spokesperson said. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in a tweet said: “Gopal Subramaniam agrees to chair Commission of Enquiry on DDCA scam.”

The Union Finance Minister, on the other hand, will file a civil and criminal defamation case against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, BJP MP Kirti Azad and five other AAP leaders — Kumar Vishwas, Ashutosh, Sanjay Singh, Raghav Chadha and Deepak Bajpayee.

Jaitley said he has instructed legal team in his personal capacity to institute civil defamation cases in the Delhi high court and criminal defamation cases in the Patiala House courts. He has accused them of issuing false and defamatory statements against him and his family members.

Coming out strongly in his support, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said: “We are proud of the impeccable qualities of honesty, integrity and credibility of Arun Jaitley. The transparency and credibility with which he has lived his public life all these years and his commitment to probity is too well known.”

However, a defiant AAP leader Deepak Bajpai said: “We are not going to be bogged down by such intimidatory tactics. We are privy of Arun Jaitley’s history. Moreover, after today’s (Sunday) expose, the whole country has come to know about the truth and we are committed to fight against corruption whatever it takes.” “Jaitley don’t threaten us with defamation... Answer the questions we had asked. You will take us to court; we will take you to people’s court... Let me repeat Mr Jaitley — you are the KALMADI of BJP,” another AAP leader Ashutosh said, referring to Suresh Kalmadi of the Congress who was accused in the CWG scam.