New Delhi:
The CBI on Monday arrested Principal Secretary Rajendra Kumar, a top associate of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, on charges of corruption. His arrest provoked a sharp reaction from the Delhi government, which cried political vendetta.
Here is all you need to know:
1. According to the CBI, Rajendra Kumar was the driving force behind a 50-crore scam that involved the Delhi government in 2006.
2. Ashok Kumar and two owners of a firm were also arrested for allegedly landing deals.
3. The Delhi government has alleged that Rajendra Kumar’s arrest is an attempt by the Centre "to paralyze the Chief Minister's office".
4. In December 2015, the CBI had raided Rajendra Kumar’s offices. At that time, in a controversial comment, Kejriwal had called the Prime Minister "a psychopath".
5. "Mr Modi, even if you only leave us with just peons, we will run the government with them," said Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Monday.
6. The fight over the senior-most bureaucrat in the Delhi government is part of the ongoing tussle between the Centre and Kejriwal.
7. According to CBI, Kumar manipulated the processes to deliver contracts for computers and software to firms during his earlier term with the government. The agency says bribe to the tune of Rs 3 crore was paid to senior government officials including Kumar.
8. Kumar was one of the proxy owners of these firms, says CBI.
9. Rajendra Kumar and Arvind Kejriwal both are IIT alumini.
10. In 1991, Kumar started his stint as a minister with the Delhi government. Kejriwal made Kumar his top advisor even during his short term of 49 days as Delhi Chief Minister.
