High Court rejects Swati Maliwal's plea to quash charges in corruption case
Swati Maliwal, former Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief, is accused of illegally appointing acquaintances and AAP workers during her tenure from August 2015 to 2016.
by Manisha Pandey · India TodayIn Short
- Charges against Swati Maliwal framed under anti-corruption law
- Allegations of illegal appointments in Delhi Commission for Women
- Case initiated by Anti-Corruption Bureau
The Delhi High Court on Friday rejected Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal's petition challenging framing of charges against her under the anti-corruption law for allegedly abusing her official position when she was Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief.
Maliwal, who has been accused of illegally appointing acquaintances and Aam Aadmi Party workers during her tenure as DCW chairperson between August 2015 and 2016, had challenged the order of the lower court framing charges against her.
Despite her appeal, Justice Amit Mahajan refused to overturn the charges, leaving her to face the ongoing legal proceedings.
On December 8, 2022, a trial court ordered framing of charges against Maliwal and three others under the provisions of the Indian Penal Code and Prevention of Corruption Act, including Section 13(1)(d) (criminal misconduct by a public servant).
The case was lodged by the Anti-Corruption Bureau on a complaint by former DCW chairperson and BJP MLA Barkha Shukla Singh.
The High Court last year stayed the trial court proceedings against Maliwal in the criminal case.
According to the prosecution, the accused, in conspiracy with each other, abused their official position and obtained pecuniary advantages for AAP workers, who were appointed to different DCW posts without following the due process.
The appointments were made in contravention of procedures, rules, regulations, and without even advertising for the posts in violation of General Finance Rules (GFR) and other guidelines, and that money was disbursed to various such persons towards remuneration/salary/honorarium, it has said.
The prosecution has claimed that 90 appointments were made in the DCW between August 6, 2015 and August 1, 2016.
(With inputs from PTI.)