Delhi CM targets Najeeb Jung with ration shop inquiry

After a heated discussion in the Delhi Assembly that lieutenant-governor Najeeb Jung encourages mafia and a demonstration by AAP supporters against the L-G in the Vidhan Sabha complex, the Delhi government on Thursday constituted a special nine-member inquiry committee to probe alleged irregularities in “restoring” the licence of a fair price shop, including the “role” of Mr Jung in connection with it.

Scores of AAP supporters raised slogans against Mr Jung at the Assembly premises to demand his resignation. Mr Jung reacted by quoting a couplet of Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar, and asserted he restored the licence, cancelled last year, as an “appellate authority” after hearing arguments from all sides. The committee comprises nine Aam Aadmi Party MLAs after its sole BJP face Jagdish Pradhan opted out. AAP MLA Saurabh Bhardwaj moved a resolution to this effect amid cries of “political vendetta” by Leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta.

The move interestingly came during the two-day special session of the 70-member House that started on Thursday to discuss the working of the three BJP-controlled municipal corporations.

The case pertains to alleged irregularity in restoration of the cancelled licence of the provision store located in Sant Nagar area in North Delhi’s Burari. Its licence was cancelled following a raid by the Delhi government in June last year. Referring to a case wherein Mr Jung allegedly bypassed rules to restore the suspended licence of a ration shop holder, Delhi legislator from Burari Sanjeev Jha said Mr Jung had no authority in the matter. The AAP leader claimed the shopkeeper paid Rs 12 lakh to get the licence restored.

“The shopowner concerned used to sell poor quality ration. After the locals complained, the shop’s licence was cancelled after I intervened. But the shop owner approached the L-G, and his licence was restored. It is a clear case of corruption on the part of the L-G. The shopowner now openly claims he spent Rs 12 lakh to get back his licence. Surprisingly, in his letter, the L-G recommended action against me,” Mr Jha said.