Centre rejects VRS application of Kejriwal's former principal secy
The Centre has rejected a voluntary retirement application by Rajendra Kumar, former principal secretary to Arvind Kejriwal, who is under investigation for corruption. The CBI was given sanction to prosecute Kumar in cases relating to loss of Rs 12 crore to the Delhi government while awarding contracts. Law states that VRS permission should be withheld if there are pending cases against the applicant.
- Who is Rajendra Kumar?
- Ashish Joshi
- The charges against Rajendra Kumar
- Losses suffered by the Government
- CBI arrests Kejriwal's Principal Secretary
- AAP furious over Kumar's arrest
- Delhi CM's Principal Secy suspended
- Kumar diverted bribes: CBI
- Suspended officer, Rajendra Kumar seeks retirement
- Centre rejects VRS application of Kejriwal's former principal secy
Who is Rajendra Kumar?
Rajendra Kumar is a 1989 batch IAS Officer of the Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram, and Union Territories (AGMUT) cadre. A batchmate of Arvind Kejriwal at IIT Kharagpur, he was appointed Principal Secretary (PS) to him in February 2015. He also served as Secretary during the previous 49-day AAP government. Rajendra Kumar has served Delhi Government from former CM Sheila Dixit's tenure.
Ashish Joshi
A former member secretary of Delhi Dialogue Commission, Ashish Joshi was removed in May 2015. In June 2015, acting as a whistle-blower, Joshi moved the Delhi Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) against Rajendra Kumar in June 2015, accusing him of corrupt practices.
The charges against Rajendra Kumar
In December'15, a case was registered against Rajendra Kumar and the others by the CBI. Kumar had allegedly abused his official position by "favouring a particular firm in the last few years in getting tenders of Delhi government departments." According to the FIR, Kumar promoted Endeavour System Private Ltd. from 2007, by misusing his position and facilitated tenders worth Rs.9.5 crore to the company.
Losses suffered by the Government
According to the CBI, persons accused in this case caused a loss of Rs.12 crore to the Delhi Government by entering into a criminal conspiracy and awarding contracts between 2007-2015. They also took "undue advantage" of over Rs.3 crore while awarding contracts.
CBI arrests Kejriwal's Principal Secretary
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's Principal Secretary Rajendra Kumar and Deputy Secretary Tarun Sharma were arrested by the CBI in a Rs.50-crore corruption case. According to the CBI, Rajendra Kumar is the kingpin of the scam. With the Principal Secretary and the Deputy Secretary, three others - Sandeep Kumar, Dinesh Kumar, Ashok Kumar and directors of Endeavour Systems Private Limited (the controversial company) were arrested.
AAP furious over Kumar's arrest
Manish Sisodia, Delhi's deputy CM lashed out at the Centre, saying, "All this has been done to paralyze the Chief Minister's office." He also said, "Mr. Modi, even if you leave us with just peons, we will run the government."
Delhi CM's Principal Secy suspended
Rajendra Kumar, the Principal Secretary to the Delhi Chief Minister was suspended after he was arrested by authorities in connection with a corruption case. Home Ministry sources said he was suspended from duty after due consideration of the gravity of charges against him. Officials added that as per rules stipulated by the government, any officials stands automatically suspended 48 hours after their arrest.
Kumar diverted bribes: CBI
The CBI revealed that Rajendra Kumar diverted the bribes he received during his tenure as Delhi Principal Secretary to various companies and entities. The CBI added that several of the bribes were forwarded to companies owned by Kumar and his associates. The CBI said it would now also need to look into the operations of Endeavour Systems, believed to be Kumar's front company.
Suspended officer, Rajendra Kumar seeks retirement
Former principal secretary of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Rajendra Kumar now seeks voluntary retirement. On Wednesday, Kumar addressed a 26-page letter to the Chief Minister and pleaded for his request to be accepted within 3 weeks. Levying serious allegations against the CBI, Kumar wrote that during his July 2016 arrest, the CBI told him that he would be free if he implicated Kejriwal.
Centre rejects VRS application of Kejriwal's former principal secy
The Centre has rejected a voluntary retirement application by Rajendra Kumar, former principal secretary to Arvind Kejriwal, who is under investigation for corruption. The CBI was given sanction to prosecute Kumar in cases relating to loss of Rs 12 crore to the Delhi government while awarding contracts. Law states that VRS permission should be withheld if there are pending cases against the applicant.
