Delhi LG Orders Probe Into Rs 80 Crore PWD Corruption Allegations

Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has ordered an investigation by the Anti-Corruption Branch into significant allegations of corruption and misuse of public funds, totaling nearly Rs 80 crore, within the Public Works Department. The probe focuses on irregularities in de-silting work and other practices in the Palam area.

Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has initiated a probe by the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) into grave allegations of corruption and misuse of public funds amounting to nearly Rs 80 crore against officials of the Public Works Department (PWD). An official release from the LG's office stated that the issue centers on de-silting work conducted in the Southwest Road-I and Southwest Road-II Divisions of the PWD in the Palam area.

The Principal Secretary to the LG has formally communicated the Lieutenant Governor's orders to the Chief Secretary. The probe was triggered by a complaint from Advocate Amit Kharkhari, a Municipal Councillor of MCD Ward 127, Najafgarh, Delhi, dated August 11, 2024. The complaint alleges serious irregularities, including the misuse of public funds, violation of tender norms, and other corrupt practices. It specifically points out that one contractor, Surender Singh, was unduly favored, leading to financial losses for the government.

The complaint implicates several PWD officials, including Executive Engineer Ashish Gupta, Junior Engineer Ajay Kumar Meena, and Assistant Engineer Dharam Singh Meena, along with the contractor Surender Singh, in the alleged wrongdoings. It also suggests that senior PWD officials like Superintending Engineers Rajpal Shivrain and Shailander Mishra, along with Chief Engineer South (M) Manoj Kumar Aggarwal, may have been complicit in these activities. The complaint highlights instances where measurements were inflated to process higher payments, causing significant financial losses. Based on the severity and scale of these allegations, the Lieutenant Governor has directed the matter to be referred to the ACB for an in-depth investigation, with an action taken report to be submitted at the earliest.