Big trouble for Kejriwal if chargesheeted in cases against him: Najeeb Jung

In Q&A with India Today, ex-Delhi L-G refers to cases of nepotism mentioned in Shunglu report

Asserting that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had begun to feel that the huge majority his party got in the Feb 2015 Delhi Assembly polls gave him the licence to do as he pleased, former Delhi Lt Governor Najeeb Jung was categorical when he said Kejriwal could face criminal charges if certain FIRs filed against him were converted into chargesheets.

In an India Today interview with Karan Thapar, Jung referred to the Shunglu Commmittee which was formed to examine alleged cases of irregularities and nepotism in the appointments across various Delhi state departments under the AAP government.

One of the more prominent ones among these was the appointment of Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain’s daughter Soumya to the health department.

The 440-odd page Shunglu panel report also pointed to another case about the so-called secret service unit, which was formed with the sudden recruitment of about 250 people. Jung claimed the unit was required to report solely to Kejrwal and was formed without his having had any consultations with Jung.

Jung further said the recruits were provided with jeeps, surveillance equipment, computers, among other items, and were mandated to keep a tab on those Kejriwal was at loggerheads with.

The former Lt Governor asserted that no state had the authority to put up such a unit and that Kejriwal certainly had no power to do so uniterally.

Claiming that the unit violated the provisions of Section 16 of the Constitution, which deals with privacy, Jung said, "I cannot tap your phone. Special permission has to be sought to set up such as unit in case terrorism is suspected."

He added that an FIR had been filed in this case, and that Kejriwal could face criminal charges if chargesheets were filed in this and other cases cited by the Shunglu Committee report, and court found substance in them.

Jung claimed the Shunglu panel, which Kejriwal had moved the court to have scrapped, was formed to help the Lt Governor.  

My relation between the Prime Minister was as it should be between the LG and PM. I was under no pressure from the PM with respect to governance in Delhi.

Rajnath Singh has not asked even any administrative transfers. Even Jaitley never asked for any favours. I never had any unusual official request from any cabinet minister.

On his relations with PM Modi

In my personal conversation with the PM, I never felt that he had any bias against Muslims. I feel he is concerned for the community. Muslims have not been able to produce even one credible Muslim leader in the past 4-5 decades.

On Sheila Dikshit

Sheila Dikshit and I didn't have major disagreements. I never had acrimonious relationship with anyone.

On Delhi's status

Delhi should remain a Union Territory. The region works better in the current form.

On triple talaq

Muslims should have themselves come forward to discontinue triple talaq. If Parliament doesn't act on it, the apex court must take action on the issue.

The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) applies to all, not only Muslims. The initiative for the UCC should gradually come from the community, not politicians. If they fail to act upon or recognise it, then civil society must lead the charge.