Asim Ahmed Khan’s fate sealed after two days of internal deliberation following tip-off

A ground-check was run on the matter and more evidence was sought against the minister.

The complainant, who requested anonymity, first approached a senior leader in the Delhi unit.

Asim Ahmed, who belongs to a business family, had joined the party ahead of the parliamentary polls in 2014.

In what was seen as Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s zero-tolerance for corruption, Environment and Food Supplies Minister Asim Ahmed Khan’s sacking came after two dramatic days of investigation and deliberations, said sources.
The first tip-off came at least two days ago to the Delhi unit of the party, added the sources. It kept the matter highly confidential. Even the top decision-makers in the party were not roped in till clinching evidence of Khan’s guilt was accessed, sources said.

The complainant, who requested anonymity, first approached a senior leader in the Delhi unit. A ground-check was run on the matter and more evidence was sought against the minister. After an hour-long audio clip of a purported telephonic conversation among Khan, the builder (of the building that was stalled seeking a bribe) and a mediator, was received Thursday evening, party sources said the matter became ‘crystal clear’.

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“The audio clip was sufficient to nail the minister,” said a party leader, who had heard relevant portions from the clip.

Sources said a written complaint was filed late Thursday evening and a group of senior leaders, including Kejriwal and deputy CM Manish Sisodia, ran through the audio clip.

After the Delhi unit of the party was ‘convinced’ of Khan’s involvement in the alleged graft case, the matter was heard by a team of at least seven top leaders Friday — minutes before Kejriwal announced Khan’s sacking and said the matter has been sent to the Central Bureau of Investigation, added sources.

The party’s internal Lokpal too will be investigating the allegations.

Senior leader Kumar Vishwas tweeted, “Kaha tha na bardasht nahi karenge (Didn’t we say, we will not tolerate).”

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However, senior leader and spokesperson Ashutosh refrained from commenting on the issue altogether.
Sources said Khan has been a close aide of Ashutosh and was roped into the party ahead of the parliamentary elections contested by the latter.

Even as the party’s expelled leader, Prashant Bhushan, questioned why the minister’s background was not checked properly before inducting him into the cabinet, senior leaders maintained that Kejriwal had ‘set an example’ of zero tolerance for corruption and claimed it was a ‘high point’ of the party.

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