Corruption Allegations Surface Against Delhi Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar, AAP Leaders Express Concern

In a recent development, the office of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has received a corruption complaint against Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar. The anonymous complaint, reportedly filed by a lawyer, alleges that Mr. Kumar manipulated a Land Acquisition deal, ensuring a staggering profit of ₹315 crore for a company linked to another employing his son. The complaint has been forwarded to Vigilance Minister Atishi for further investigation. The Chief Minister’s office has requested a detailed report on the matter.

According to sources, the complaint pertains to the sale of a 19-acre plot of land in southwest Delhi, acquired by the National Highways Authority of India in 2018 for the construction of the Dwarka Expressway. The original sale price of ₹41.52 crore, determined by the district administration at the time, was later increased to ₹353.79 crore by then South West Delhi district magistrate Hemant Kumar. Mr. Kumar, who denies the allegations, emphasizes that he took action in the case.

The complainant argues that the increased price, directed to be paid by the NHAI to a specific landowner, was manipulated by Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar. The landowner in question, Subhash Chand Kathuria, is directly related to Aman Sarin, the promoter of realty firm Anant Raaj Ltd. Aman Sarin is alleged to have links to Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar’s son, Karan, who serves as a Director at another real estate firm, Big Town Properties Pvt Ltd. The matter was brought to Mr. Kumar’s attention in June, leading to a Directorate of Vigilance probe, and subsequently, a CBI inquiry and departmental action against the district magistrate concerned.

Several AAP leaders, including Environment Minister Gopal Rai, Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha, and Delhi Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj, have commented on the allegations. Mr. Chadha expressed shock, while Mr. Bhardwaj raised concerns, referencing similar questions raised about Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar in the past. This development unfolds amid the ongoing political battle between AAP and the BJP, which controls the center and oversees the transfer of bureaucrats and employees in Delhi through the Delhi Services Bill.

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