FM files defamation case against AAP leaders in Delhi HC

The political slugfest over the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) is getting worse with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) going on the offensive against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who is embroiled in the controversy, has filed a civil defamation case in the Delhi High Court against AAP leaders for false statements against him and his family members. He is also expected to file a criminal defamation suit in the Patiala House Court.

Meanwhile, Sanjay Singh who is leading AAP's counter attack has claimed that he will file an FIR against Jaitley. The Delhi government has ordered an inquiry into the alleged irregularities in the DDCA. AAP has also said that it will fight Jaitley in the people's court.

Claiming that there was nothing wrong in the AAP raising the issue, former cricketer Bishen Singh Bedi said "we are all against corruption. There cannot be any fire with out smoke. Today, we got the visual proof for the corruption in DDCA. This controversy is in the domain of Delhi CM so what is wrong in AAP raising the matter."

However, Jaitley has got backing from present cricketers. After Virendra Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir and Ishant Sharma, Indian test captain Virat Kohli has also come out in his support of Jaitley. "Grateful to have @arunjaitley ji as the president of our association..He has always wanted to improve the game & help cricketers in everyway," he tweeted.

Hitting out at the Central government for not allowing a probe into alleged irregularities into the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA), the Aam Aadmi Party had claimed that all attempts made by the Delhi government to investigate the 'scam' have been thwarted by the Centre.

AAP leader Raghav Chadha claimed that DDCA had a budget of Rs 24 crore but additional Rs 90 crore was also spent. "Jaitley said in Parliament that EPIL got contracts though EPIL only got Rs 57 crores. Where is the remaining amount," he asked.

AAP also claimed that the main objective of the raid of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) at Delhi Secretariat was to prevent the alleged graft in DDCA during Finance Minister Arun Jaitley's tenure coming to light.

AAP alleged that it is apparent that the DDCA and its officers-in-charge are involved in a number of acts which are criminal offences and are otherwise "unethical and contrary to the principles of a charitable company, much less of a sporting body. The construction of the stadium is mired in allegations and there is at least prima facie material to conclude that the construction of the stadium has led to huge loss to the DDCA and to the government and public in general."

They also claimed that it is evident from the report of the Disaster Management Authority that no completion certificate has been obtained (or can be obtained) for the reconstruction of the Feroz shah Kotla stadium. "The DDCA has, in fact, endangered the lives of members of the public by not following fire and other safety norms. Competent authorities may be instructed to urgently look into the matters of building safety norms, fire safety norms, etc and take expeditious action," AAP claimed.

The AAP also pointed to 'deliberate' corruption in the electoral system in the DDCA. Quoting a report by two judges of the Delhi Higher Judicial Services, the AAP said that the two-judge panel claimed that there was a lack of transparency, bias and impartiality by the Sport Secretary and the Convenor of Sports Working Committee and also in recognition of club on the basis of inheritance. "Private cricket academies are being run under the umbrella of DDCA. Three clubs from one address were affiliated. Two clubs each were also being run under the control of the administrative authorities of DDCA," the AAP said.