A city court on Saturday directed the Delhi Police to register an FIR against Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on complaints filed by former Delhi BJP chief Vijender Gupta and RTI activist Vivek Garg,alleging misuse of public funds by the CM for the election advertisement campaign in 2008. Related: Lokayukta slaps Rs 11 cr penalty on Sheila Dikshit Special Judge (Anti-Corruption) Narottam Kaushal directed the IP Estate police station to treat the two complaints as FIRs and investigate the matter. Related: Delhi BJP leaders meet Prez,demand sacking of Sheila Dikshit The two complaints,filed in June this year,had alleged that Dikshit misused government funds to the tune of Rs 22.56 crore in an advertisement campaign ahead of the 2008 Assembly polls. The complaints referred to an order by the Delhi Lokayukta,passed on May 22,which recommended censure and penalty against Dikshit. Gupta and Garg had sought registration of an FIR against Dikshit and others for alleged criminal breach of trust (Section 409 IPC),criminal misappropriation of public funds and criminal misconduct under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Police had said that no offence could be made out against Dikshit. During arguments before the court,Director of Prosecution B S Joon had informed the court that since the Lokayuktas report had not been finalised under the Lokayukta Act,a police complaint could not be registered on the basis of the order passed by the ombudsman. Guptas advocates Ajay Burman and Ajay Digpaul had however argued that since a cognisable offence had been disclosed,the police were duty-bound to take action. The President has not taken any decision on the recommendations by the Lokayukta and the report is not yet finalised as per procedure, Joon had said. The complaints had alleged that in 2007-08,Dikshit was the Chief Minister of Delhi and minister in-charge of information and publicity when the alleged misuse of funds took place. It was an election year. A number of government advertisements were published in newspapers. A large number of hoardings showing pictures of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Sheila Dikshit were placed in Delhi Metro,bus shelters and also in the form of radio jingles,TV spots. by misusing the government machinery and public funds. burdened the state exchequer in carrying out campaign of Congress party for her own political gains, the complaint alleged. Gargs complaint had also named the then Finance Minister,Finance department officials and other senior officers as accused. The expenditure was sanctioned by the council of ministers and passed by the department,why should only Sheila Dikshit be investigated? Garg said on Saturday. Gupta also demanded the resignation of the CM,claiming that she was being investigated for a serious offence. A detailed court order is expected on Monday.
