Title: Wasn’t Even a Minister Then: AAP’s Saurabh on Case Against Him
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Delhi president, Saurabh Bharadwaj, has found himself at the center of a corruption case, with the Delhi Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) registering a case against him. The former Delhi health minister has responded to the allegations, stating that he was not even a minister when the hospital projects were sanctioned. This development has sparked controversy, with Bharadwaj accusing the ACB, the BJP government in Delhi, and the Lieutenant Governor (LG) of turning his case into a joke.
Background of the Case
The ACB had alleged that Bharadwaj, as the then Delhi health minister, had misused his position to sanction hospital projects worth Rs 1,500 crore in 2022. The agency claimed that the minister had taken bribes from a private company to approve the projects, which were allegedly designed to benefit the company.
Bharadwaj’s Response
Bharadwaj, however, has denied the allegations, stating that he was not even a minister when the projects were sanctioned. He claimed that he became a minister in March 2023, and therefore, it was impossible for him to have misused his position to approve the projects.
“This has been turned into a joke by the ACB, the BJP Govt in Delhi, and the LG,” Bharadwaj said in a statement. “I was not even a minister in 2022. I became a minister in March 2023. It’s a clear case of political vendetta and the BJP’s desperation to discredit us.”
Bharadwaj’s defense is based on official records, which show that he was not a minister in 2022. He has also provided documents to support his claim, including his appointment letter, which states that he was appointed as the Delhi health minister on March 25, 2023.
The ACB’s Response
The ACB, however, has refused to comment on Bharadwaj’s statement, saying that the matter is under investigation. The agency has also refused to provide any details about the case, citing the ongoing investigation.
The BJP’s Response
The BJP, which has been critical of the AAP government in Delhi, has welcomed the ACB’s decision to register a case against Bharadwaj. The party has accused the AAP of corruption and nepotism, and has demanded that Bharadwaj be prosecuted for his alleged wrongdoing.
“This is a clear case of corruption and misuse of power,” said a BJP spokesperson. “Bharadwaj has been accused of taking bribes to approve hospital projects, and now he is trying to deflect attention by saying that he was not a minister. We demand that he be prosecuted and punished for his alleged wrongdoing.”
Conclusion
The case against Saurabh Bharadwaj has sparked controversy, with both sides trading allegations and counter-allegations. While Bharadwaj has denied the allegations, claiming that he was not even a minister when the projects were sanctioned, the ACB has refused to comment on the matter.
As the investigation continues, it remains to be seen whether Bharadwaj will be able to clear his name or whether the allegations against him will stick. One thing is certain, however: the case has sparked a heated debate about corruption and accountability in Indian politics.
News Source:
https://x.com/ANI/status/1938268691621417311
