Retd cop files corruption complaint against Delhi ACB chief

A retired Delhi Police officer today lodged a complaint with Delhi government against Anti Corruption Branch chief M K Meena accusing him of being involved in curtain purchase scam during his tenure as Principal of Police Training College here.

In his complaint, a retired inspector of Police Training College (PTC), Jharonda Kalan, Jawahar Lal has accused Meena of embezzling Rs 20 lakh in purchase of curtains and curtain rods as Principal of the college during the period from May 11 to July 25, 2005.

Lal lodged his complaint against Meena at Delhi Secretariat today.
Lal, in his complaint, alleged that Meena committed gross misconduct and conspiracy with some private firms to procure curtains and curtain rods worth Rs 20 lakh (approx) beyond his competence, without obtaining administrative approval and expenditure sanction of the competent authority.

Meena failed to comply with existing General Financial Rules (GFRs) and instructions, Lal said, adding that thus, the loss of substantial public fund was caused to the state exchequer due to his criminal misconduct to obtain pecuniary advantage.

"Meena arbitrarily procured curtains and curtain rods totaling Rs 20 lakh though there were no documents on record on the basis of which the demand for new curtains was projected.

"He instead of calling open tender, he obtained apparently fabricated quotations from three local dealers, which is in gross violation of codal formalities prescribed in GFR," Lal wrote in his complaint.

Lal claimed that Meena illegally constituted a purchase committee for purchase of general store articles and other equipments required in PTC.

"Records indicate that the quotations were obtained from a single source and in the similar handwriting, as if all the quotations were made by one and not from three different suppliers which amounts to cheating and forgery with the department. All the work done by the illegally constituted purchase committee is illegal.

"Curtains were procured not only at exorbitant price on his orders but also of inferior quality for the price paid," Lal said.

The record mentions that three different sizes of curtains were purchased at uniform rate of Rs 590.

"As per the inquiry report of then ACP Yashwant Singh, all the curtains were of same quality and the market price of the same quality was reported to be around Rs 75 per metre," Lal said in his complaint.

Lal mentioned that Meena approved the rates and allowed purchase of 1,521 running feet curtain rods at an unbelievable rate of Rs 180 per running foot amounting to Rs 2,73,780. The rods were found to be of inferior quality in an inquiry was conducted on the direction of special commissioner (training).

"The inquiry conducted by Yashwant Singh the then ACP revealed that market price of the same quality curtain rods was around Rs 15-20 per running feet," Lal said.

He claims that Meena was found guilty of corruption in an internal inquiry. He also submitted the copy of forged bills used by Meena in connection with the purchase of curtains along with his complaint.

Lal also requested Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to ask the ACB to file FIR against Meena and reopen corruption cases involving him.

Delhi government, who had earlier objected to Meena's appointment as ACB Chief, may soon order an investigation into the matter.

Meena's appointment as ACB chief on the order of Lt Governor had once against brought Delhi government at loggerhead with the central government.

Lt Governor Najeeb Jung had appointed Meena, the Joint Commissioner of Delhi Police as ACB head superseding Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's hand-picked chief SS Yadav.