Turbulent times don’t seem to end for the Aam Adami Party government in Delhi. Starting from the arrest of Satyendra Jain to Manish Sisodia to Arvind Kejriwal being jailed and called as the “kingpin” by the ED. Troubles don’t seem to end for the Aam Adami Party. Recently, the Delhi Vigilance Department sacked Delhi CM, Arvind Kejriwal’s personal secretary, Bibhav Kumar over “illegal appointment.”
The Vigilance Department‘s Special secretary, YVVJ Rajshekhar passed the order directing his removal. “The Competent Authority hereby terminates the engagement of Bibhav Kumar, in terms of the provisions of Rule 5 of the Central Civil Services (Temporary Service) Rules, 1965, with immediate effect,” the order read. The order also cited a 2007 case against him.
The Curious Case of Bibhav Kumar
In the 2007 case, a government official named Mahesh Pal had accused him of assault and use of criminal force to obstruct him from performing his duties.
The vigilance department said that employment of a private person is temporary. Moreover, apparently, they did not do a thorough background check about his pending criminal cases.
It stated, “Despite being appointed conditionally based on the pending outcome of a criminal case against him (FIR 102/07 under IPC sections 353, 504, and 506), concerns were raised following the directives from the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) regarding appointments without prior verification of character and antecedents.”
The Department of Personnel and Training stated that discrepancies in appointment has come to their notice. They noticed that officials appointed in the personal staff of ministers in anticipation of completing pre-appointment formalities at a later stage.
It further stated that it not only creates administrative difficulties but is also inappropriate. It said that it is not appropriate to allow appointments in the personal staff of ministers without prior verification of character and antecedents.
Keeping aside such strong statements coming from Vigilance Department and DoPT. Bibhav Kumar is also under the radar of ED. In February, the ED summoned him in connection with the Delhi excise policy case.
Reacting To The Situation-
AAP leader Jasmine Shah took to X and posted that they arrested the Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in the fake Delhi liquor case. Now they are sacking his entire staff.
BJP leader Kapil Mishra said, “Bibhav’s removal was necessary. Firstly his appointment was illegal, secondly he was under investigation in corruption cases, and thirdly and most importantly, Kejriwal is in jail. At the behest of liquor policy case accused, his team could destroy evidence and influence witnesses. The step of his removal will help in ensuring fair investigation.”
While AAP is brainstorming as to how to challenge the order in court. AAP experienced another turbulence as ED seeks arrest warrant against its MLA Amanatullah Khan in the Delhi Waqf Board case.
The ED alleges that Khan has transitioned from witness to accused by filing an anticipatory bail plea and avoiding the investigations. The court has listed the matter for hearing on April 18th.
Meanwhile amidst all this AAP leaders are resigning. Recently, Delhi Social Welfare Minister Raaj Kumar Anand resigned alleging that the party is neck deep into corruption.