Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has intensified the ongoing controversy by endorsing Vigilance Minister Atishi’s report alleging Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar’s involvement in an alleged conflict of interest. The report implicates Kumar in purportedly facilitating a profitable collaboration between a company where his son holds a partnership and the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS), sources revealed on Saturday.
The Vigilance Minister submitted the report to Kejriwal on Thursday, urging Kumar’s suspension and proposing a CBI inquiry into the matter. Sources close to the chief secretary countered the claims, asserting that Kumar’s son had no role as a signatory in any MoU between the company and ILBS, nor any affiliation as a shareholder, director, partner, or employee.
However, the ILBS released a statement on Thursday refuting the allegations as baseless. The institution clarified that it hadn’t issued any purchase orders or made payments to the alleged software developer or company.
The report alleged the signing of an MoU on January 24, 2023, between ILBS and the chief secretary’s son’s company, outlining significant financial benefits for the company in terms of intellectual property rights and profit sharing from potential commercial ventures.
According to the report, this apparent conflict of interest raises concerns about a breach of All India Services Conduct Rules, suggesting Kumar used his position to foster an advantageous arrangement for his son’s company at the expense of public funds.
Furthermore, the report advised an immediate termination of the MoU, emphasizing the need for swift action to address the situation. Kejriwal’s call for the chief secretary’s dismissal underscores the gravity of the allegations and the push for a transparent investigation into the alleged impropriety.
Sources by Agencies
