FIR not a deterrent for me, not done anything wrong: Maliwal

DCW chief Swati Maliwal, who has been booked on charges of irregularities in recruitment in the women's panel by the Anti Corruption Branch, today said the FIR will "not act as a deterrent" for her even as Delhi minister Satyendra Jain came out in support of her.

The Delhi Commission of Women (DCW) chief said the FIR will not act as a deterrent for her and the panel will continue to work and raise questions which is "disturbing her opponents the most".

"Even if I am sent to jail, I will prepare a report on the condition of women there and submit it to the Delhi government. The Delhi government and the Centre are working together towards ensuring safety of women," she told reporters here.
 

"There are a few people whom I would not like to name, they are trying that the two do not work together..Communication gaps are being created. This FIR is fake, I have not done anything wrong," she said.

"If we have to change the system we will have to give some sacrifices. If somebody can prove corruption of a single rupee in my life, I will stop living. I am a follower of Lakshmi Bai and Subhash Chandra Bose...I am not going to be scared," she added.

A case under sections 13(D) of Prevention of Corruption Act, 409 (criminal breach of trust) and 120B (punishment of criminal conspiracy) of the IPC was registered against Maliwal, ACB chief Mukesh Kumar Meena said.

The ACB had taken up the probe on a complaint by former DCW chief Barkha Shukla Singh, who alleged that several AAP supporters were given plum posts in the women's panel.

Singh, in her complaint, had listed the names of 85 people who, she claimed, got jobs "without requisite credentials".

The ACB had been probing the matter for the last two-three months and based on the questioning of Maliwal's employees, it was found that due procedure "was not followed in appointments," said an officer, adding that a total of 91 appointments were found to be made without allegedly following due process.

The officer said the ACB team might visit the DCW office next week to question Maliwal again. Maliwal was questioned for over two hours by ACB officials yesterday.

Meanwhile, Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain lauded the DCW chief's efforts saying, "The ACB is questioning her means, she is shaking the trees that are not meant to be shaken.