Live: Rajendra Kumar taken to CBI headquarters for questioning after raids

After I raised questions, CBI has gone to raid the IT department: Arvind Kejriwal

Which file was CBI looking for in my office? DDCA files in which Arun Jaitley is in dock. I was about to order a commission of enquiry

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) December 15, 2015

After i raised question on why CBI did not raid those depts where those tender files are there, NOW CBI has gone to raid IT dept.

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) December 15, 2015

Rajendra toh sirf bahana hai, Kejriwal nishana hai: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal responds to CBI raid

“CBI has been conducting raids at my office and few more locations since morning today. Why is CBI raiding the most upright party? I will send my son to jail if I find evidence of corruption against him. CBI’s clarification is a blatant lie. It should have raided the education dept not the CM’s office. CBI didn’t raid I-T department or any other department which were linked to the case. They raided the CMO. They are not going to find old contracts related to the case in the Delhi CM’s office. CBI should have raided the education department, not the CM’s office. Rajendra toh sirf bahana hai, Kejriwal nishana hai (Rajendra is just an excuse, Kejriwal is the real target). They (CBI) had come to search for DDCA files which have Jaitley ji’s name, as he had been president of DDCA and probe is on. Tum apne kukarmo ki maafi maango desh se, main apne shabd ki maafi maangoonga desh se (You first apologize for your misdeeds, then I’ll apologize for my words).”

Arvind Kejriwal owes an apology to nation: Kiran Bedi

He (Arvind Kejriwal) deeply needs to regret what he said. It has shocked and saddened the people. He owes an apology to nation: Kiran Bedi

— ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2015

Contrary to CBI claim, Delhi govt sources say some files from CM’s office sealed by CBI officials, Firstpost Senior Editor Akshaya Mishra writes from Delhi

Contrary to CBI’s claim that the raid was conducted only at Principal Secretary Rajendra Kumar’s office, sources in the Delhi government are saying some important files from the office of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has also been sealed by CBI officials who are still inside the secretariat building’s third floor. All floors from first floor upward have been blocked and no one is allowed go there.

Just because Rajendra Kumar happens to be Secretary to Delhi CM, doesn’t make raid political vendetta: Prashant Bhushan

Charges against Rajendra Kumar substantial.Just bcoz he happens to be Secy to Delhi CM,doesn’t make raid political vendetta:Prashant Bhushan

— ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2015

If there’s substantial case against a person who may happen to be Secy to CM,he needs to be probed: Prashant Bhushan pic.twitter.com/9VyMtCHtdq

— ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2015

Rajendra Kumar just an excuse, real target is Arvind Kejriwal. AAP will continue running government with honesty: Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia

“The room in which all the CM’s files are kept in the CMO was seized by the CBI. After they didn’t find anything, government came out and said that the CBI didn’t raid Delhi CMO. What’s the purpose behind seizing Delhi CM’s files? Rajendra Kumar is just an excuse. The real target is Arvind Kejriwal. Today, the CBI is being used the same way in which it was being used under the Congress. Officials who are working openly with CM Kejriwal are being told that they will not be allowed to work. We will not get scared of anyone. AAP will continue running the government with honesty.”

Reports regarding search at Delhi CM’s office are completely baseless: Devpreet Singh, CBI spokesperson

“From 2007-2014, Rajendra Kumar along with six others abused his position to award contracts. After obtaining warrant from the competent Court, searches are in progress in 14 locations in Delhi and UP. Reports from certain quarters regarding search at Delhi CM’s office are completely baseless.”

The purpose is of the CBI raid clear – defame, harass and bully Arvind Kejriwal. Although the CBI has already noted that Sheila Dikshit and Najeeb Jung are involved in the case, their offices weren’t raided: AAP

Clearly, there was one clear target of this step - .@ArvindKejriwal. And the purpose is also clear - Defame, harass and bully. #CowardModi

— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) December 15, 2015

Although the CBI has already noted that Sheila Dikshit and Najeeb Jung are involved in the case, their offices weren't raided.#CowardModi

— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) December 15, 2015

The case is from 2002, when Rajinder Kumar was not a part of Delhi Govt. Sheila Dikshit & current LG Najeeb Jung were involved#CowardModi

— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) December 15, 2015

CBI must be allowed to do its work: Ravi Shankar Prasad, BJP

“Allegations against Rajendra Kumar are very serious. Mr Kejriwal, you emerged as epitome of someone fighting against corruption. Didn’t you take due diligence while appointing your secretary. CBI must be allowed to do its work.”

Textbook case of hypocrisy and double standard; Arvind Kejriwal should apologize to the PM: Ravi Shankar Prasad

CBI has already clarified Delhi CM's office has not been raided, CBI has raided after proper search warrant from the Court: RS Prasad

— ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2015

Arvind Kejriwal should apologize to PM for using words like 'coward'. Its totally uncalled for, unwarranted and shameful-RS Prasad,BJP

— ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2015

Central Govt does not interfere with CBI functioning at all: Jitendra Singh, MoS, PMO

CBI is an autonomous body, Central Govt does not interfere with its functioning at all: Jitendra Singh (MoS, PMO) pic.twitter.com/SRm1sTKjZi

— ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2015

Political intolerance, apart from religious intolerance, happening in India: TMC MP

TMC MP Saugata Roy raised the CBI raid issue in Lok Sabha and said that apart from religious intolerance, political intolerance was also happening in India.

“It is not only religious intolerance but political intolerance too that is happening in India…It is astonishing that this morning CBI raided the office of the Chief Minister of Delhi,” Roy said.

“If CBI is used as a tool against a government in a state where the ruling party was trounced in elections, it is a matter of shame,” he added.

CBI questions Rajendra Kumar

According to reports, CBI is questioning Rajendra Kumar after Rs 3 lakh in foreign currency was recovered from his residence.

Raids have nothing to do with Kejriwal: Jaitley in LS

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley repeated in Lok Sabha what he earlier said in Rajya Sabha. “The raids have nothing to do with Mr Kejriwal’s office or his tenure,” Jaitley said.

Delhi govt has made a deal with corrupt officials: Delhi BJP

In a press conference, the BJP alleged that the AAP government had made a deal with corrupt officials.

“We will tell the people how the this party is involved in corruption,” said Delhi BJP chief Satish Upadhyay.

Another Delhi BJP leader said, “For the first time, we see that a raid is conducted against a corrupt official. And to save that official, the mukhiya of the region comes forward to save him. Is there no law in the city?”

“The reality is that there has been a deal between the Delhi CM and the corrupt officials…There is an open deal in the Delhi government in which the government makes officials their henchmen,” he said.

CBI recovers Rs 3 lakh in foreign currency from Rajendra Kumar’s residence

According to ANI, CBI has recovered foreign currency worth over Rs 3 lakh from Rajendra Kumar’s residence, say sources from the CBI.

Meanwhile, BJP wants an apology from AAP over the remarks on PM Modi.

CBI has recovered foreign currency worth over Rs 3 Lakh from Rajender Kumar's (Principal secretary to Delhi CM) residence: CBI Sources

— ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2015

Narendra Modi following footsteps of Adolf Hitler: AAP spokesperson

AAP spokesperson Raghav Chadda lashed out against the Modi government and compared PM Modi to Adolf Hitler. “This very morning, the CBI raided the office of Delhi CM, who is the democratically elected head of the state,” Chadha told Times Now.

He then said that the probe was related to a case dating back to 2002 but the CBI had not raided the office of other leaders. “Sheila Dixit’s residence was not raided. Najeeb Jung’s office was not raided…This smacks of political vendetta. This is a witch-hunt,” he said.

“Narendra Modi is following the footsteps of Adolf Hitler,” Chadha said.

Kejriwal’s reaction on the CBI raid is atrocious: Prakash Javadekar

Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar termed Kejriwal’s reaction as “atrocious” and accused the latter of “protecting” corrupt and engaging in “worst kind of politics” by targeting Modi for the same.

“Arvind Kejriwal’s reaction on the CBI raid is atrocious. CBI raids only when they receive a credible complaint and they want to investigate the corruption matter. Kejriwal is protecting corruption.

“And instead of immediately taking action against his officials, he is accusing the Prime Minister. This is worst kind of politics,” he added.

“In corruption case of Sheila Dixit in 2002, CBI raids Kejriwal in 2015. Wah Modi Ji”

2002 में शीला दीक्षित के भ्रष्टाचार के मामले में 2015 में केजरीवाल पर CBI रेड। वाह मोदी जी।

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) December 15, 2015

No arrests till now, raids still going on: CBI sources

CBI raid at Delhi Secretariat- No arrests till now,raids still going on: CBI sources

— ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2015

Who is the target – Rajender or me? Kejriwal on Twitter

My question -had Rajender not been my secretary, then wud he have been raided? No. Then who is the target- Rajender or me ?

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) December 15, 2015

This is undeclared emergency: Arvind Kejriwal

Mamata Di. This is undeclared emergency https://t.co/l1EQOTfrFy

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) December 15, 2015

There is a way to conduct raids: Tarun Gogoi, Assam CM

Not that CBI doesn't have authority,but there is a way to conduct raids-Tarun Gogoi,Assam CM on CBI raids Delhi Sec. pic.twitter.com/F56oJiJMTN

— ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2015

Should Kejriwal have been informed? Firstpost Senior Editor Akshaya Mishra writes from Delhi

Should chief minister Arvind Kejriwal have been informed before the CBI action in his office? That appears to be his party’s point of contention in this case. Is the AAP government confusing ‘inform’ with ‘seek permission’ here? Prior information kills the element of surprise in such raids. Seeking permission could have met with a denial and resulted in the political games we are witnessing now. Moreover, the AAP itself didn’t agree with the idea of investigating agencies taking consent of higher authorities before initiating action against bureaucrats of beyond a certain rank earlier. Is the party revisiting its position on the matter? Or is there something more to the AAP’s response to than meets the eye in the case of Rejender Kumar?

Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2 pm after uproar over CBI raids at Delhi Secretariat 

Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2 pm after uproar over CBI raids at Delhi Secretariat pic.twitter.com/EU42Pg7rNe

— ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2015

Searches on at 14 locations in Delhi and UP, Rajendra Kumar not cooperating: CBI

Searches on at 14 locations in Delhi&UP. Papers of 3 immovable properties & Rs. 2.4 lacs recovered from residence of Rajendra Kumar: CBI

— ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2015

Rajendra Kumar not cooperating in opening his E-mail accounts. Another Rs.10.5 lakhs recovered from co accused,G K Nanda, GM TCIL :CBI

— ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2015

All you need to know about Rajendra Kumar, by Debobrat Ghose

Who is Rajendra Kumar?

Rajendra Kumar is Principal Secretary to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. A 1989 batch IAS officer and an IIT-Delhi alumnus, he was appointed as PS in February. Earlier, he was secretary in Department of Urban Development and handled transportation and power sectors.  

Allegations against Rajendra Kumar:

Rajendra Kumar allegedly provided benefits to a few private firms as in the capacity of CM’s principal secretary. He allegedly formed a company for the purpose.

The Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) also registered case against Kumar.

Earlier, senior bureaucrat and former member-secretary Delhi Dialogue Ashish Joshi had written to Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) chief MK Meena against Kumar accusing the latter of allegedly indulging in corruption. Joshi had also asked for a probe into Kumar’s role when he was with education, IT and health departments.

“Yes, I had complained to the ACB to probe against alleged corruption,´ Joshi told Firstpost.

What was the complaint against Rajendra Kumar?

In his complaint to Meena, Joshi had alleged that Kumar, as director of Education (from May, 2002 to February, 2005) and later Secretary (IT), Secretary (Health) and Commissioner (VAT), had allegedly set up various companies to award work orders of departments without tenders which caused “financial loss” to the city’s government.

According to the complaint, Rajender Kumar formed a company –Endeavors Systems Private Ltd along with some persons. In 2007, he became secretary (IT) in Government of NCT of Delhi. During this period, he got this company empanelled with PSU – ICSIL (Intelligent Communication Systems India Ltd.) a joint venture of Telecommunications Consultants India Limited (TCIL),a Government of India enterprise, and Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC), an undertaking of Delhi government.

Development at AAP

All the top leaders in AAP will have a meeting at the residence of Delhi’s deputy CM Manish Sisodia within an hour.

Rajya Sabha adjourned till 12.30 pm after uproar over CBI raids at Delhi Secretariat

Rajya Sabha adjourned till 12.30 pm after uproar over CBI raids at Delhi Secretariat

— ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2015

Session washout imminent, Firstpost Senior Editor Akshaya Mishra writes from Delhi

One more reason for the opposition to spoil a day in Parliament. Senior BJP member Arun Jaitley has made it clear that the CBI action is not directed against chief minister Kejriwal or anything that happened during his tenure. However, it is unlikely to satisfy the opposition. Kejriwal has found enough friends across the political spectrum to fight his case in House now. The point is, does he have a case in the first place? Of course, the question is redundant given the parties have already made up their minds not to let the House function. If not this it would have been some other issue. The winter session washout looks imminent now

This is clearly political vendetta: Ashutosh, AAP

Heard Jaitley ji's statement in Parliament, he has lied and misled the nation-Ashutosh, AAP pic.twitter.com/fyCMEBmTeM

— ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2015

Aap Rajendra Kumar ko nahi, aap Arvind Kejriwal ji ko nishaana bana rahe the-Ashutosh, AAP pic.twitter.com/aH9PWeJe2y

— ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2015

This is clearly political vendetta,all files were being searched so as to find a weakness in order to take action against Kejriwal: Ashutosh

— ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2015

This is clearly political vendetta,all files were being searched so as to find a weakness in order to take action against Kejriwal: Ashutosh

— ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2015

If you wanted any information, then why did you not take Delhi CM into confidence?-Ashutosh, AAP on CBI raid pic.twitter.com/qnRjMYzY26

— ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2015

CBI raids on Delhi CM office are unprecedented: Derek O’Brien, TMC 

CBI raids on Delhi CM office are unprecedented in history of modern India: Derek O'Brien, TMC pic.twitter.com/Bu7l21Mk7N

— ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2015

FM Arun Jaitley lied in Parliament, my own office files being looked into to get evidence against me: Arvind Kejriwal

FM lied in Parliament. My own office files are being looked into to get some evidence against me. Rajender is an excuse

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) December 15, 2015

Adversarial politics going too far​, Firstpost Senior Editor Akshaya Mishra writes from Delhi

The language used by Arvind Kejriwal against Prime Minister Narendra Modi is too strong and does not behove a chief minister. A couple of days ago, Rahul Gandhi was equally scathing, though more sober with his words, on the prime minister a couple of days ago. Yesterday, the AAP said Rahul was a ‘child’ and he didn’t understand that the Railway ministry does not come under the Dlhi government. Adversarial politics is surely going too far in the country. It has become deeply personal and hateful. The Kejriwal government in Delhi and the Centre have been at loggerheads from the beginning. The relationship is marked by absolute lack of mutual respect and civility. Despite the defence they put out, neither comes out smelling of roses. It’s time someone brought sense to the proceeding.

Raid has nothing to do with CM Kejriwal or his tenure: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley

Raid has nothing to do with Mr. Kejriwal or his tenure-Finance Minister Arun Jaitley speaking in Rajya Sabha

— ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2015

Firstpost Senior Editor Akshaya Mishra writes from Delhi:

The CBI says the raid is not against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. But the noise has overtaken news by now and grown political wings. So the BJP has a political battle at hand. Kejriwal would only be too happy to engage it. He has nothing to lose. Given the kind of reputation he has built for himself over the last few years, it does not matter to him whether he is blamed for making a mountain of a molehill. A couple of days ago, he fought the Centre over slum demolition at Sukur in West Delhi. The BJP has to stay ahead and win the perception game. Let’s wait and watch how they handle a trouble called Arvind Kejriwal.