mha-suspends-delhi-assembly-secretary

Ministry of Home Affairs suspends Delhi Assembly Secretary Raj Kumar over alleged irregularities in a case linked to the Rani Jhansi flyover during his tenure in the city government, officials said on Friday.

 

National Capital Civil Service Authority (NCCSA) in September last year had recommended Kumar's suspension after a panel comprising senior Delhi government officials recommended the same. 

 

"I have received the MHA order regarding my suspension. It's an old case and I was not given any chance to explain myself so I have nothing else to say now," said Kumar. 

 

As per the order issued by MHA on April 16, a "disciplinary proceeding" against Kumar is being contemplated.

 

The order reads, "Now, therefore, the President, in the exercise of the powers conferred by sub-rule (1)(a) of Rule 10 of the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control, and Appeal) Rules, 1965, hereby places the said Shri Raj Kumar, DANICS under suspension with immediate effect." 

 

The allegations against the officer of the Delhi, Andaman, and Nicobar Island Civil Services (DANICS) cadre are related to his tenure as the additional district magistrate (land acquisition collector) in the city government, officials said. 

 

After a long delay of nearly two decades, the flyover was opened for public use in 2018. The 1.8-km grade separator connected the Filmistan Cinema hall with St Stephen's Hospital in north Delhi. 

 

It was constructed by the North Delhi Municipal Corporation, which now is part of the unified MCD, for Rs 724 crore, officials said. 

 

The construction of the flyover was delayed amid allegations of corruption and problems related to land acquisition. 

 

Earlier, a Lokpal bench on November 3, 2022, had asked the Central Vigilance Commission to take note of available documents and ongoing court cases and fix responsibility and recover excess payments related to the construction of the flyover, the officials said.