New Delhi. The CBI action on Wednesday at the Civic Center, the headquarters of the Delhi Municipal Corporation, created a stir in the corridors of the corporation. After the news of the raid in the advertisement department and the alleged arrest of an SSA officer Anil Khatri, questions are now being raised about the functioning of the MCD. Congress MCD leader Nazia Danish has demanded accountability on the entire incident.
During the action at Civic Centre, the CBI team first examined the documents and files in basement-2 and then in the office of the advertising department located on the 25th floor. According to sources, Anil Khatri was arrested during the operation and cash was recovered from his car. However, detailed official information from CBI on these claims is yet to be revealed.
‘If there were complaints then why not action earlier?’
Nazia Danish raised the question that if there were complaints of corruption against an officer for a long time, then why did the concerned departmental officers not take action in time. He demanded the corporation administration to clarify how transparent is the process of deployment of officers and employees in sensitive departments like advertising and parking.
He said that the arrest of any one employee cannot be applied to the entire corporation, but if the role of any officer comes to light in the investigation, then action should be taken against him.
Questions raised again on advertising department
Advertisement Department is one of the important revenue related departments of MCD. In such a situation, the action of CBI has intensified the discussion regarding the functioning of the department. Quoting sources, allegations are also being made that Anil Khatri already had complaints against him and he allegedly used to extort money from some officials. These allegations have not been independently verified and their veracity will become clear only at the conclusion of the investigation.
Nazia’s goal – accountability should be fixed at the top
Nazia Danish said the investigation should not be limited to just one employee. If the investigating agency finds facts related to documents, money transactions or the role of officials, then the investigation should reach the level where responsibility is fixed.
He also said that the creation of an atmosphere of fear regarding action among the employees and officers working in the Civic Center is a serious sign in itself. There is a need that the investigating agency should take action on the basis of facts and the MCD administration should also fix accountability at its level.
Corporation’s system under question
The biggest question after CBI’s action on Wednesday is that if complaints related to corruption already existed, then what action was taken on them at the departmental level? How transparent was the process of deployment and decisions regarding sensitive tasks related to advertising and parking? And can the scope of investigation now extend to other officers also?