The Delhi High Court on Friday rejected a plea from Rajya Sabha member Swati Maliwal, seeking to quash charges framed against her related to alleged misconduct during her tenure as the chief of the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW).
Justice Amit Mahajan delivered the decision, with a detailed order expected to be released later. The charges pertain to accusations that Maliwal misused her office to favor individuals associated with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), by appointing them to various positions within the DCW.
The allegations, which led to the legal challenge, were initiated by a complaint from former DCW chairperson and BJP MLA Barkha Shukla Singh. This resulted in a trial court on December 8, 2022, ordering the framing of charges against Maliwal and three others under the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act, particularly under Section 13(1)(d) which addresses criminal misconduct by a public servant.
The prosecution has asserted that Maliwal, along with others, conspired to abuse their official roles to secure financial benefits for AAP workers, by appointing them to DCW posts without adhering to standard procedures and regulations. These appointments were reportedly made in violation of General Finance Rules (GFR) and other established guidelines, without open advertisement for the positions.*
According to the prosecution, 90 individuals were appointed within the DCW between August 6, 2015, and August 1, 2016. Among these, 71 were hired on a contractual basis and 16 were employed for the ‘Dial 181’ distress helpline. Records for three of the appointees remain unaccounted for.
