On Wednesday, police made a formal complaint against Mayor Kuldeep Kumar and his brother-in-law, giving the complaint as one of the people of Ram Darbar who brought to them their job obtained for Rs 75,000. The crime section police filed a case and started an investigation. Complainant Ravi Birla gave his details regarding a complaint against Aam Aadmi Party Mayor Kuldeep Kumar and his brother-in-law Rahul Chanalia at the SSP window.
Allegation:
Ravi alleges that his brother-in-law demanded Rs 1.5 lakh to get him a contract job. He transferred Rs 75,000 through the internet to him. Ravi also left a note stating he met Mayor Kuldeep Kumar to lobby for the contract job. Allegations indicate that the money was paid through UPI in many transactions on September 10, 11, and 13 of last year after negotiations. Although Ravi alleged he paid money to get a job, he was never placed.
He said Rahul wanted to give him a driving job, but he said he wanted a sanitation job. “I have neither got my job nor got my money back, though he stole it to give it to charity,” says Ravi.
In the complainant’s possession was a screenshot of the online money transfer. There are fifteen audio recordings with Rahul where he discusses seeking a job. A phone call seems quite improper these days, said Rahul, adding that the CBI and Vigilance are quite active.
He also claimed that Rahul threatened him with dire consequences if he informed anyone about the matter. Kuldeep could not be contacted for comments despite several attempts.
Police investigation
According to the report, the police have started inquiries into it. It has been reported that the complainant handed over the tape and other evidence to the police, which could be immensely important for any future investigations.
The official complaint had been registered at the Crime Branch police station, reported a police officer, citing the Prevention of Corruption (PC) Act and some sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS). “An inquiry was launched,” said the officer.
Aam Aadmi Party View
Chairman of the Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board and co-in-charge for the city of AAP, Dr. SS Ahluwalia, termed the charge against the mayor “A web of deceit.” He said that it is the BJP’s live-and-die method of bringing down democracy every time they face a loss: fabricating such allegations. “We in the Aam Aadmi Party and our elected council members are not afraid of such baseless accusations!” he exclaimed.
Rahul, the mayor’s brother-in-law, has squarely refuted these allegations. He claimed that the solitary monetary transaction he did with the complainant was not work-related. Rahul termed it a conspiracy to bring down the mayor.
This matter has also become an election issue with the Chandigarh municipal elections fast approaching.
The opposition parties could bring up the story and attack the mayor and his family.