Kejriwal takes on Modi over CBI raid

The Central Bureau of Investigation on Tuesday morning conducted searches at the office of Secretary to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

“A corruption case has been registered against Rajendra Kumar, Secretary to the Delhi CM, on the allegation that he abused his official position to favour a particular firm in getting tenders from various Delhi government departments in the past few years,” said a CBI official, adding that the action has been taken on the basis of a complaint lodged by a former Delhi Dialogue Commission member secretary, Ashish Joshi.

After taking warrants, the agency initiated searches on the residential and the official premises of Mr. Kejriwal’s Secretary at Delhi Secretariat around 9 a.m.

While the searches were on, the CBI did not reveal the exact purpose of the move. This triggered sharp reaction from Mr. Kejriwal. “CBI raids my office…when Modi could not handle me politically, he resorts to this cowardice,” he tweeted.

“None of the Delhi government staffers were allowed to enter the offices on the third floor,” said an official, adding that the Delhi CM’s office was sealed.

Meanwhile, some senior Delhi government officials claimed the raid was “fallout of Mr. Kejriwal’s decision to take the Centre to task over the Shakur Basti Demolition”.

Following this, Mr. Kejriwal said: “CBI lying. My own office raided. Files of CM office are being looked into. Let Modi say which file he wants?”

The Delhi Chief Minister said that the CBI was using Principal Secretary Rajender Kumar as an excuse to look through all his files.

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha today, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said: “The CBI raid had nothing to do with Mr. Kerjiwal or his tenure; graft case against Delhi govt. officer also pertains to past.”

Responding to the statement, Mr. Kejriwal said: “FM lied in Parliament. My own office files are being looked into to get some evidence against me. Rajender is an excuse.”