Deputy secretary in Arvind Kejriwal's office, 2 SDMs suspended by Delhi LG on corruption charges

New Delhi: A deputy secretary in Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's office and two sub-divisional magistrates (SDMs) have been suspended by Lt Governor V K Saxena on corruption charges, official sources said on Wednesday.

Prakash Chandra Thakur posted as deputy secretary in the chief minister's office, Vasant Vihar SDM Harshit Jain and Vivek Vihar SDM Devender Sharma were suspended and disciplinary proceedings ordered against them, sources said.

The move reflected LG Saxena's commitment to zero tolerance to corruption and ensuring probity in the functioning of the government, one of the sources said.

The lieutenant governor had on Monday suspended two assistant engineers of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) after finding lapses in the construction of EWS flats in Kalkaji Extension.

Earlier on Monday, LG had allowed the Anti-Corruption Branch to probe allegations of irregularities in the building of seven temporary hospitals during Covid.

Official sources said the LG granted the "long-pending" permission to the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) to probe the allegations of irregularities in awarding tenders against the then chief engineer and the current chief engineer of the Delhi PWD.

"The ACB had in 2020 sought permission to proceed in the matter of irregularities in the construction of seven temporary hospitals under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The permission was delayed due to various reasons," said a senior officer.