Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s helpline faces graft charge

NEW DELHI: Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal's pet corruption-fighting measure —the 1031 helpline—is now under a cloud for alleged irregularities in its formation.

A day after he recommended scrapping the "defunct" helpline, the Centre-appointed chief of Anti-Corruption Branch, M K Meena, is learned to have ordered a probe into its management on Friday. However, an FIR had not been registered till the filing of this report.

Tension between Meena and the state government has steadily increased since his appointment in early-June. The ACB has reportedly started an inquiry against the helpline management and also the AAP officials involved in setting it up.

ACB officials said they had registered a complaint on Thursday and were collecting evidence. Considering the interest shown by the AAP brass in launching the helpline, they too might be questioned.

TOI tried contacting Meena for comments but got no response.

The complaint sent to ACB by advocate Subodh Jain alleges financial irregularities in the process followed to engage an external agency for setting up the helpline. ACB said the complaint appears to have merit and notices will be sent out to the parties concerned.

Jain has sought registration of an FIR against Kejriwal, his secretary Rajendra Kumar, Delhi home minster Satyendar Jain, and director of vigilance Sukesh Jain. Meena had earlier threatened Sukesh Jain with legal action if he interfered in the functioning of ACB, which is a police station.

Subodh Jain's complaint states: "I have been informed that Kejriwal and his associate Rajendra Kumar, in order to benefit their aides, initiated and set up this helpline without opening any tender and duly bringing it in public domain. As per the law, proper tenders and codal formalities should have been completed to award the contract to the lowest bidder so that the exchequer does not suffer losses.

"Now, I have come to know that the government has stopped taking any action on the calls made to 1031 and is not even routing them to ACB for action. This is despite the government spending crores from public money on advertising the helpline ... I request the case be investigated thoroughly and prompt action be taken."

Jain added that he was forced to file a complaint after coming to know that it is a criminal offence to hide information pertaining to any crime.

The chief minister had relaunched the 1031 helpline with fanfare on April 5, promising strict action against corrupt officials.

It had 60 lines and received thousands of calls each day. The call centre location was kept secret and all complaints were forwarded to the ACB until lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung made Meena its chief in June.