For first time, CID briefs Vij

Bhartesh Singh Thakur
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, January 22

For the first time today after Anil Vij became Haryana Home Minister, an SP-level officer from the state’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) briefed him.

“An SP-level officer met me today and briefed me. He told me that he will come daily and will be available whenever I will require any input,” said Vij.

He added, “Earlier, the CID was not briefing me. They were just sending reports. There is a difference between briefing and reporting like this. I am responsible for peace and tranquillity in the state. I should be aware of impending security issues.”

When asked whether with the CID starting to brief him, the issue over CID chief ADGP Anil Kumar Rao’s chargesheet and removal has been settled, Vij clarified, “I have recommended chargesheeting him and replacing him with ADGP Shrikant Jadhav. The CID was not briefing me. I have mentioned that it is a dereliction of duty, negligence and disobedience. Once, he told me that he was coming to meet me but didn’t turn up at all. ”

He denied media reports that newly appointed BJP president JP Nadda intervened in the matter between him and the CM over the CID issue.

“I had gone to congratulate Nadda that day. He had recently taken over and it was not the occasion to raise issues. And it is not a personal issue between me and the CM. The CM is my friend,” he added.

“My stand is clear. The CID or Home Department can be taken away from me. But till I am Home Minister, the CID has to brief me,” said Vij.

Earlier, Vij had called for Rao’s explanation for not sharing information related to the CID’s Haryana Assembly election survey. However, Rao replied that the CID doesn’t gather election-related information.

CM Manohar Lal Khattar has been maintaining that the ongoing CID issue is a technical one and the department usually used to remain with the CM. When asked over the increase in technical issues in his government, he replied today that those had been decreasing now.

Meanwhile, Vij also clarified on his absence at the Mayors’ meeting presided over by the CM on January 18. “It was a day to meet people at my residence (in Ambala). People come from far-off places with their grievances. I couldn’t have disappointed them,” he said.

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