By IANS,
New Delhi : The Delhi Lokayukta (ombudsman) Thursday recommended removal of PWD Minister Raj Kumar Chauhan from the council of ministers as he tried to protect a resort in a tax evasion case.
Lokayukta Justice Manmohan Sarin’s order came in a case where the minister allegedly influenced a team of tax officials to provide relief to the resort in a tax evasion case.
The Lokayukta has taken suo motu action on media reports that VAT Commissioner Jalaj Srivastava had written to the Delhi government saying that a minister had asked him to recall an enforcement team from the survey. Later, Srivastava revealed it to be Chauhan.
“The legislator and minister, a matured politician and veteran of over 20 years in politics, credited with three consecutive election victories, can be expected to be fully in the know of his responsibilities and consequences of his action and conduct,” a Lokayukta order said.
“The order passed by the Lokayukta has recommended to President of India, Pratibha Devisingh Patil to withdraw her pleasure in allowing the minister to continue as a minister in Delhi government,” a Lokayukta official said.