The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday raided and sealed the office of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's secretary Rajendra Kumar.
"Searches on at 14 locations in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. Papers of three immovable properties and Rs 2.4 lacs recovered from residence of Kumar... Another Rs.10.5 lakhs recovered from co accused GK Nanda," CBI said, according to ANI.
The CBI said that they have warrants to raid the office and residence of Delhi Chief Minister's secretary Kumar. The CBI said that Kumar took advantage of his political position to favour some companies in getting tenders.
"CBI has registered a case against Rajendra Kumar, Secretary to CM Delhi on the allegation of abusing his official position by favouring a particular firm in the last few years in getting tenders from Delhi government departments," the CBI said, ANI reported.
"The allegations against Rajendra Kumar were raised by Ashish Joshi, member Secy, Delhi dialogue Commission," the CBI said
"After taking warrants, searches are being conducted in the office and residence of Rajendra Kumar," the bureau added.
However, Kejriwal insisted that the Bureau raided his office. "The CBI is checking the files in my office in the name of raid at Rajendra's office," he said in a tweet. "My own office files are being looked into to get some evidence against me. Rajender is an excuse," he said in another tweet.
Kejriwal in a of tweet claimed that the CBI raid is a political vendetta, blaming Prime Minister Narendra Modi of playing this card after having failed to "handle" him "politically". In another tweet, Kejriwal called Modi a "coward" and a "psychopath".
"CBI lying. My own office raided. Files of CM office are being looked into. Let Modi say which file he wants?" he said in another tweet.
The Central government and the AAP government have indulged in a war of words quite often after Kejriwal became the Delhi Chief Minister in February this year. Kejriwal has been insisting that the Centre hands him over the charge of the Delhi Police, which comes under the Central government.
Responding to Kejriwal's allegations, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu said, "It has become fashion for Delhi CM to quarrel with Central government and to take PM's name for everything", according to ANI.
"Today CBI is an independent organisation, government do not interfere at all. How can you criticise the Government of India and the PM? PM has nothing to do with this," he added.
CBI raids my office
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) December 15, 2015
When Modi cudn't handle me politically, he resorts to this cowardice — Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) December 15, 2015
Modi is a coward and a psycopath
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) December 15, 2015
CBI lying. My own office raided. Files of CM office are being looked into. Let Modi say which file he wants? — Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) December 15, 2015
राजेंदà¥à¤° के बहाने मेरे दफ़à¥à¤¤à¤° की सारी फ़ाइल देखी जा रही हैं।
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) December 15, 2015
I am the only CM who dismissed, on my own, a minister n a senior officer on charges of corruption and handed their cases to CBI(1/2)
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) December 15, 2015
If CBI had any evidence against Rajender, why didn't they share it wid me? I wud hv acted against him(2/2) — Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) December 15, 2015
Delhi CM's office on third floor of Delhi Secretariat sealed, staff not being allowed to enter, files being searched on that floor- Sisodia
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 15, 2015