ACB summons Swati Maliwal over 'illegal' recruitments at DCW

The Anti Corruption Branch has sent a notice to DCW chief Swati Maliwal informing her that she will be questioned next week in connection with a complaint of illegal recruitments at the women’s panel. ACB chief Mukesh Kumar Meena confirmed that a notice had been sent to Maliwal.

“She has been sent a notice informing that the ACB officials will be visiting the DCW office on Monday at 11 AM to question her,” said an ACB official.

When contacted, the Delhi Commission For Women (DCW) said that it has not received any notice till now. The probe has been taken up by the ACB on a complaint by former DCW chief Barkha Shukla Singh.

In her complaint, Singh had claimed that several AAP supporters were given plum posts in the women’s panel.

Last month, ACB officials had visited the DCW office to collect certain documents pertaining to two complaints: one alleging “nepotism and favouritism” by Maliwal in appointing employees to the body and the other about “misuse” of her official position.

This time, the questioning will be pertaining to the complaint by Barkha, said the officer. Earlier, Maliwal had rubbished the allegations, saying the staff is needed in her office considering the number of cases the women’s panel handles.

“During her tenure of nine years in DCW, Barkha Shukla Singh handled only one case. During this period, the commission made no recommendation to the government and conducted only six visits despite having a staff of about 50 officers,” she had said.

Singh, in her complaint, listed named of 85 people who, she claimed, got jobs “without requisite credentials”.