ACB seeks UDD response on allegations against CM’s secretary

Daradehad allegedly approved use of industrial plots for residential purposes in Nagpur during his tenure as chairman of the Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT). An RTI activist had submitted an application to the ACB alleging misconduct on Darade’s part.

Darade, however, refuted the allegations, saying they were ‘baseless.’

“The matter comes under the purview of the Urban Development Department (UDD). We have written to the UDD about the matter and asked for their official remarks, as a probe cannot be initiated solely on the claims made by a civilian. Once we get a reply from the UDD, we will decide further course of action,” said ACB Director General of Police Praveen Dixit.

Another ACB officer added that the agency was waiting to apply for permission to start an open inquiry against Darade till the UDD’s report arrived. “We will need some official basis before we proceed in the case,” the officer said.

Dixit said the ACB was yet to receive confirmation on clearing of its pending proposals for open inquiry against government servants. As of Wednesday, there were 23 proposals for open inquiries against various government servants pending approval, two of them pending since 2013.

gautam.mengle@expressindia.com