The Delhi High Court on Friday dismissed a plea by Rajya Sabha member Swati Maliwal, challenging the framing of charges against her under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Maliwal, the former chief of the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW), faces accusations of abusing her official position by appointing individuals associated with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to various posts in the women’s rights body.
Justice Amit Mahajan rejected Maliwal’s request to quash the charges, with a detailed judgment expected later. The charges were framed by a trial court in December 2022, under the Indian Penal Code and Section 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, which pertains to criminal misconduct by a public servant.
The case was initiated by the Anti-Corruption Bureau following a complaint from former DCW chairperson and BJP MLA Barkha Shukla Singh. The high court had previously stayed the trial court proceedings against Maliwal last year.
According to the prosecution, Maliwal and three others conspired to abuse their positions to secure financial benefits for AAP workers by appointing them to DCW roles without following the due process, violating rules, regulations, and the General Finance Rules (GFR).
The prosecution further alleges that no advertisements were issued for the posts and that remuneration was improperly disbursed.
Between August 2015 and August 2016, 90 appointments were reportedly made at the DCW, including 71 on a contractual basis and 16 for the 'Dial 181' distress helpline. The prosecution claims that records for three appointees are missing.
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