Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal
The legal team of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) claimed on Thursday that Bibhav Kumar, the personal assistant (PA) of arrested Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, intends to file a complaint with the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) about his termination by the Directorate of Vigilance (DoV).
The legal staff of the AAP is considering potential grounds for challenging the aforementioned order. The legal team predicts that Bibhav would bring up, among other important points, the timing of this order and claim that the Vigilance order is unlawful before the CAT.
In an order dated April 10, 2024, Special Secretary Vigilance YVVJ Rajshekhar mentioned a 2007 case that was still ongoing against Bibhav Kumar, in which the latter was accused of hindering government activities.
“The Competent Authority hereby terminates the engagement of Bibhav Kumar, in terms of the provisions of Rule 5 of the Central Civil Services (Temporary Service) Rules, 1965, with immediate effect,” the order
The order stated that the charges against Bibhav Kumar are grave in nature, including charge of assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of his duty.
“It is observed that charges against Bibhav Kumar are grave in nature, including charge of ‘assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty’ (section 353 IPC), for which the trial against Bibhav Kumar is at the stage of evidence, and therefore Bibhav Kumar is not clear from vigilance angle,” it said.
“Any serious lapse in the verification procedure could result in appointment of persons in the personal staff of Ministers, MP and other government bodies, who are otherwise not eligible to man the post. This is fraught with dangers because such persons could also have access to sensitive information and data,” the order added.
The action takes place two days after Bibhav Kumar and AAP MLA Durgesh Pathak were questioned by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) in connection with a money laundering investigation into irregularities in the Delhi Excise Policy 2021–22 case.
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