Assembly Speaker to examine request to prosecute AAP MLA Tripathi
“The Department of Vigilance has found that facts/evidence – both human as well as technical – strongly indicate serious complicity of the MLA and other persons in this bribery case,” L-G House officials said.
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Akhilesh Pati Tripathi facing graft allegationsL-G VK Saxena has referred to Delhi Assembly Speaker the Vigilance Department’s request for granting sanction to prosecute AAP Model Town MLA, Akhilesh Pati Tripathi, for allegedly demanding Rs. 90 lakh in lieu of an AAP ticket to a woman aspirant in last year’s MCD elections.
L-G House officials said that the aspirant’s husband had lodged a complaint in this regard with the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) following which the anti-graft body had registered a case.The aspirant had sought a ticket from the Kamla Nagar Ward.
“The Department of Vigilance has found that facts/evidence – both human as well as technical – strongly indicate serious complicity of the MLA and other persons in this bribery case,” L-G House officials said.
The ACB’s case against Tripathi included a red-handed seizure of money and confirmatory statements by the other accused, officials added. CCTV footage from the residence of one of Tripathi’s legislator colleagues, where the complainant was seen leaving, was also part of the case along with the Model Town MLA’s arrival.
Three persons including Tripathi’s brother-in-law and personal assistant were arrested in the case on November 16 last year. According to officials, during the investigation, the arrested individuals allegedly confessed that Rs 33 lakh in cash was returned by Tripathi to the aspirant’s husband after he failed to secure the ticket.
“The ACB claimed that Tripathi was not cooperating during the investigation and did not properly answer questions,” L-G House officials said.
“The L-G, while referring the matter to the Speaker, noted that the Speaker was the competent authority to grant prosecution sanction in the present case, as the accused is a sitting MLA,” officials added.
The Supreme Court judgment in the PV Narasimha Rao versus CBI (1998) case held that the Speaker’s sanction is needed for prosecution of MPs and MLAs for offences made under the Prevention of Corruption (POC) Act as they are public servants for the purpose of the Act.
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