AAP government willing to have former AIIMS CVO Sanjeev Chaturvedi in Anti Corruption Branch

NEW DELHI: The Aam Aadmi Party government today expressed interest to have former AIIMS Chief Vigilance Officer Sanjeev Chaturvedi in Delhi's Anti Corruption Branch, saying that his inclusion will strengthen the agency.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisoida said, "I would like him to be there. If he wants to come, then certainly with his coming the Anti Corruption Branch will be 100 times more strong."

He, however, did not elaborate whether the procedure to bring the officer under the services of the Delhi government has been started.

Sources said the new government has already begun the process of bringing Chaturvedi to head the ACB. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is also keen to have him at the helm of the anti-graft agency.

Chaturvedi, an Indian Forest Service Officer of Haryana cadre, was unceremoniously removed from the post of CVO last year. J P Nadda, BJP general secretary and now the Union Health Minister, had written to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) last year objecting to Chaturvedi's appointment as both deputy secretary and CVO.

After his removal, the AAP had come out in support of the officer and alleged "victimisation of an honest officer at the behest of BJP members".

AAP had also demanded resignation of then Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan for his removal.