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Chandigarh MC faces allegations over two BJP-linked money deals
The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation is facing allegations about two possible money deals.
The Aam Aadmi Party says one deal involved Rs 25 lakh and a civic agenda.
It also says a recorded conversation mentioned Rs 80 lakh during a mayoral election.
The allegations reportedly involve the husbands of two Bharatiya Janata Party councillors.
The men deny that the conversations prove illegal payments.
One said the first allegation was politically motivated.
The other said the audio was about weapons and that the Rs 80 lakh remark was a joke.
The Aam Aadmi Party has asked police to investigate the claims.
One of its councillors was suspended after raising the allegations in the civic body meeting.
AAP alleged a BJP councillor’s husband sought or received Rs 25 lakh linked to a civic agenda.
AAP also cited viral audio allegedly discussing an Rs 80 lakh mayoral-election transaction.
The accused men denied wrongdoing, saying the claims were politically motivated or related to a weapon discussion.
AAP submitted a complaint to Chandigarh’s DGP seeking an FIR, evidence preservation and an independent probe.
AAP councillor Yogesh Dhingra was censured and suspended after making allegations in the General House.
- Who
- The Aam Aadmi Party, BJP councillors and their husbands, Chandigarh Mayor Saurabh Joshi, and AAP councillor Yogesh Dhingra are involved in the controversy.
- What
- AAP raised allegations involving a purported Rs 25 lakh civic-agenda payment and an audio clip allegedly discussing an Rs 80 lakh mayoral-election deal.
- Where
- The first alleged confrontation reportedly occurred outside a commercial establishment in Sector 40, Chandigarh; the allegations were later discussed in the Municipal Corporation’s General House.
- When
- The incidents and controversy were reported this month; the allegations were raised during a Tuesday General House meeting.
- Why
- AAP is seeking an FIR and an independent investigation into alleged illegal transactions, while the accused men deny the allegations or offer alternative explanations.
AAP allegations and investigation demand
BJP-linked denials and alternative explanations
Rs 25 lakh civic agenda claim
AAP allegations and investigation demand
AAP alleged that an IT professional paid Rs 25 lakh to get a civic body agenda processed and that the councillor’s husband acknowledged receiving money, referring to Rs 5 lakh as his share.
BJP-linked denials and alternative explanations
The implicated councillor’s husband said he was not present during the alleged confrontation and described the allegation as politically motivated.
Rs 80 lakh mayoral-election audio
AAP allegations and investigation demand
AAP said the viral recording appeared to discuss a substantial payment linked to the mayoral election and requested voice verification and forensic examination.
BJP-linked denials and alternative explanations
The other councillor’s husband said the discussion concerned a high-end weapon, and that the Rs 80 lakh reference was a joke unrelated to any election payment.
Appropriate response
AAP allegations and investigation demand
AAP sought an FIR, seizure and preservation of evidence, and an investigation by an SIT or an independent agency.
BJP-linked denials and alternative explanations
BJP councillors objected to the allegations and sought action against Yogesh Dhingra after he raised them without naming the five councillors or producing evidence in the House.
Key facts
- First allegation
- An IT professional allegedly confronted the husband of a BJP councillor and demanded the return of Rs 25 lakh.
- Second allegation
- A viral audio clip allegedly involved discussion of an Rs 80 lakh transaction connected to a mayoral election.
- AAP’s request
- The party sought an FIR, an SIT or independent investigation, and forensic examination of the audio.
- Evidence sought
- AAP requested preservation of CCTV footage, call-detail records, cell-tower data and the original audio.
- House action
- AAP councillor Yogesh Dhingra was censured and suspended from the remaining proceedings.
- Denial over Rs 25 lakh
- The implicated councillor’s husband said he was not present during the alleged confrontation and called the matter politically motivated.
- Denial over audio
- The other implicated husband said the conversation concerned a high-end weapon and that the Rs 80 lakh remark was made jokingly.
Quotes
Husband of the BJP councillor involved in the Rs 80 lakh audio allegation
Husband of another BJP councillor, denying that the audio concerned an actual election payment.
“The person speaking with me is into selling weapons. I am very fond of weapons, so we were discussing a high-end weapon. The conversation had nothing to do with the mayoral election. Since he stays in the same sector, I was rather asking him about what happened in his ward (about the previous confrontation). I also discussed the price of weapons, and then he jokingly said, ‘You have given Rs 80 lakh in the mayoral election.’ In a light-hearted manner, I replied, too: ‘It was less.’ It was clear”
indianexpress.com
“I have also given a complaint today. Some news is doing the rounds, and they named me, even as I was not there at the time of the incident. It is a politically motivated move.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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