DDCA row: CM gives space in Delhi Assembly to probe panel

The AAP government-appointed one-member commission of inquiry to probe the alleged financial irregularities in the Delhi District Cricket Association is all set to function from the Delhi Assembly premises.

Despite the Union home ministry order terming the setting up of the commission “unconstitutional and illegal,” the Kejriwal administration is going ahead with the probe and the commission consisting of senior advocate Gopal Subramanium is all set to function from a conference hall and its adjoining rooms in the Delhi Assembly Complex.

In a letter to deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, Speaker Ram Niwas Goel said that the commission “may utilise the conference room and adjoining rooms in the Assembly Complex till the completion of its term.”

City lieutenant-governor Najeeb Jung had earlier communicated to the AAP government that the Union home ministry had termed its one-man inquiry panel to be chaired by the former additional solicitor-general “unconstitutional and illegal,” but Mr Sisodia recently told the Assembly Speaker that the AAP government was looking for an appropriate place to house the commission.

In his letter to the Speaker, Mr Sisodia said that certain rooms in the Legislative Assembly Complex had been found suitable for this purpose and the government would be grateful if he could allow the use of these rooms for the commission for a limited period.

Mr Sisodia’s letter said on the basis of the Delhi Assembly resolution, the AAP government had constituted a commission of inquiry to probe various wrongdoings and allegations among other issues pertaining to the DDCA through its notification issued on December 2. He had requested the Speaker to give his consent in writing about the availability of the space in the Vidhan Sabha so that the government could formally communicate the same to the commission.

Earlier, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal had said that the commission constituted by his government would continue its probe into alleged irregularities in the DDCA even after it was declared illegal by the MHA. He said the commission has been appointed in accordance with law and the Constitution and asked Mr Jung, Union home ministry and the Prime Minister’s Office to approach the judiciary in case they were “aggrieved” with the inquiry panel.

In a series of tweets, Mr Kejriwal said: “DDCA enquiry commission set up by Delhi Govt is as per law and Constitution of India. Centre’s opinion not binding on Del govt. Commission will continue work.”