Gopal Rai resigns as Delhi transport minister, presents himself before ACB

Amid allegation of corruption in the Aam Aadmi Party government’s ambitious app-based Premium Bus Service Scheme, former transport minister Gopal Rai on Tuesday voluntarily presented himself before Anti-Corruption Bureau chief M K Meena, hours after he was relieved of the charge as sought by him on health grounds.

Rai claimed that the probe agency is ‘totally clueless’ to substantiate the graft charges in the scheme, even as opposition Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress termed his resignation a fallout of the ACB probe.

However, Meena said, investigation into the matter shows that the scheme was launched in ‘connivance’ with a particular company and the ACB will take legal action against every concerned officer if they fail to provide all necessary documents in connection with the matter.

Rai, accompanied by senior officials of Transport department, also met Lt Governor Najeeb Jung and asked him for evidence which proves the corruption in the premium bus scheme, alleging that the move is totally politically-motivated to defame it.

“In view of continuous harassment of Transport department’s officers by the ACB in connection with the case, I voluntarily appeared before the agency to know what evidence of corruption they have.

“When I today visited the ACB office, they (investigators) were clueless to establish any types of corruption charges in the scheme. Meena told me that the ACB has not registered an FIR (first information report) in connection with scheme so far,” Rai told reporters.

The former transport minister said that he has also asked Meena for any proof which proves corruption in scheme, saying that he was ready to provide any file pertaining to the scheme to the probe agency.

“I have also asked him about any proof he wants to get from our side. I have given all files relating to scheme to Transport department. ACB can ask the department for these files,” he added.

According to Meena, who is also a special commissioner of police, the scheme was launched in ‘connivance’ with a company. There are other allegations also, which the ACB is investigating.

“Today it was preliminary questioning. He (Rai) did bring some files with him and we have asked for more information. We will call each and every officer, who we feel is required for investigation purpose. In case that doesn't happen or we do not get the required documents, legal action will be taken against them,” the ACB chief said.

Meena also said that the ACB has come across allegations that the concerned company, for which the scheme was allegedly designed, has already advertised about the same presuming that they were going to start the service. All these points have been considered in the probe, he added.

Meanwhile, the portfolio of the transport department has now been given to his cabinet colleague Satyendar Jain, who already holds key portfolios of Public Works Department, health, power and home.

Jain, the Shakur Basti MLA, is considered close to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

Rai refuted the allegations levelled by the opposition parties saying that he has quit solely on health grounds.

Last week, he had requested Kejriwal to relieve him as transport minister as he had recently undergone a major surgery to remove a bullet lodged in his spine.

‘Some people are spreading rumour that I have resigned due to Premium Bus Scheme. There has been no corruption in this scheme and my resignation has no connection with it,’ the former transport minister tweeted.