L-G orders investigation into Congress leader’s allegations

The Delhi Police have been asked to investigate the allegations levelled by Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit on the Aam Aadmi Party of allegedly infusing cash to the tune of crores from Punjab to influence Delhi voters ahead of the Assembly elections and also snooping on him with the help of intelligence personnel from the Punjab Government.

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A senior officer from the L-G secretariat, in a letter to Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora and Delhi Chief Secretary Dharmendra, stated that they received a representation from Dikshit, a proposed candidate of the Congress for the coming Assembly elections, in which the latter alleged that intelligence personnel from the Punjab Government had been visiting his house and their vehicles were often found parked outside his residence.

“He (Dikshit) further alleged that this is being done at the behest of Arvind Kejriwal to curb the democratic process and free and fair election,” the letter read.

It further said that the Lieutenant Governor has noted that the allegations made out were “grave” and with the impending elections to the Vidhan Sabha, it was imperative that prospective candidates were not “intimidated and discouraged” from participating in the democratic process.

The Delhi Police Commissioner has been asked to submit a detailed report in this matter within three days.

In another letter, the L-G secretariat official took cognisance of Dikshit’s another allegation on the AAP Government in Punjab of transferring cash worth crores from various locations to the national capital.

Dikshit has also requested that the Punjab DGP and Haryana and Rajasthan governments might be cautioned to be vigilant about private cars from Punjab with Punjab Police escorts being sent to Delhi crossing through their states.

“The Lieutenant Governor has noted that the elections to the Delhi Legislative Assembly are likely to be conducted shortly and possibility of using such illegal money in the ensuing elections to influence the voters of Delhi cannot be ruled out,” the official letter read.

It stated that the L-G has noted that use of money power in elections is not only an offence under Sections 170 & 171 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita and Section 123 of Representation of People Act, 1951, but also “impediment to free and fair elections”.

Following the complaint, the L-G directed Arora to take immediate necessary action of checking such vehicles at the border and also sensitise the DGPs of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.

“The Lieutenant Governor has further desired that the Chief Secretary may bring this matter to the knowledge of the Chief Electoral office, Delhi, to remain vigilant in the matter in the coming days,” the letter read further.