For more than twenty hours, news channels have gone into a tizzy on the Delhi water tanker scam and explosive allegations made by a former Delhi minister.
It all started with Delhi’s former Water Resources Minister Kapil Mishra accusing Delhi CM Kejriwal of accepting money to the tune of Rs 2 crore in connection and scuttling investigation on the Rs 400 crore water tanker scam.
The story has seen many twists and turns and the breaking news tickers don’t seem to end.
For those who have not followed the story closely, here it is in a nut shell:
Kapil Mishra, who was Water Resources Minister, and chairperson of the Delhi Jal Board, was sacked on May 6.
He was reportedly sacked after he urged the Delhi CM to make the water tanker scam report public and threatened to release it himself if Kejriwal did not do so.
Mishra told media that he was sacked hours after he informed Kejriwal that few members of the AAP were involved in the water tanker scam.
Mishra also said that he had personally seen Satyendra Jain handing over Rs 2 crores in cash to Kejriwal in May 5. According to Mishra, Kejriwal said, “These things happen in politics and it will be revealed later.”
Kapil Mishra went on to allege that Jain had told him that he had settled a land deal for Kejriwal’s relative. It was a land deal worth Rs 50 crore according to Mishra. On MondayMisgra revealed that the deal was for Kejriwal’s brother-in-law.
Aam Aadmi Party defended its chief saying that Mishra is framing the Delhi CM at t he behest of the BJP and added that ACB itself was under pressure to name Kejriwal.
On Monday, Mishra, who was one of the founding members of the AAP from the India against Corruption campaign, submitted ‘proof’ on the scam to the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) (which reports to the Union Home Ministry). He also called for a lie-detector test on himself along with Kejriwal and Jain.
Mishra also claimed that he was getting threats on social media. He denied reports that he was planning to join the BJP.
What is the Rs 400-crore Delhi water tanker scam?
The Sheila Dikshit-led Congress government in Delhi was accused of committing financial irregularities and corruption in issuing tenders regarding hiring private water suppliers to provide water for areas in the capital without water connections.
Incidentally, ex-CM Dixit also held the position of chairperson of Delhi Jal Board.
The AAP-government in its fact-finding committee report to then Delhi Lieutenant-Governor, Najeeb Jung in August 2015, had suggested that a First Information Report (FIR) be filed against Dikshit and the ACB or the CBI should probe the matter.
However, in June 2016, the ACB registered a case under sections of Prevention of Corruption Act, criminal conspiracy and breach of trust by a public servant against Kejriwal too along with Dikshit.
The FIR against Kejriwal was registered following a complaint by BJP MLA who alleged that Kejriwal was delaying the probe.
Reportedly, in June, 2016 Mishra had written to Kejriwal saying some members of the AAP could also be in trouble in addition to Dikshit.
In July 2016, the ACB had questioned Mishra along with members of the fact-finding committee regarding how the figure was reached.
The fact-finding committee had reportedly found that a consultant was nominated without any basis which costed the exchequer Rs 36.5 crore.
In its report, the committee appointed by the AAP government said when a private supplier was dismissed because it was the only applicant, the tender was awarded to a company even though it was also the only applicant.
The experts concluded that the loss amounted to RS 323.9 core due to the inflated price of the water by the company.