The Delhi Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has arrested three people, including brother-in-law of an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA, in a cash-for-ticket case ahead of the December 4 Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) polls.
ACB officials have arrested AAP MLA Akhilesh Pati Tripathi’s assistant Vishal Pandey, brother-in-law Om Singh and another person, Prince Raghuvanshi.
The officials said that AAP worker Shobha Khari from ward number 69 sought a ticket from the party. MLA Akhilesh Pati Tripathi had demanded Rs 90 lakh in lieu of getting her a ticket.
The complainant said that he paid Rs 35 lakh to Akhilesh Pati Tripathi and Rs 20 lakh to Wazirpur MLA Rajesh Gupta as bribe. The remaining Rs 35 lakh was to be given after the name appeared on the list.
The complainant said when the name did not appear on the list, he approached Akhilesh Pati Tripathi’s brother-in-law, Om Singh, to get the money back. He later filed a complaint with the ACB and also provided the recorded video of the exchange of money as evidence.
After receiving the complaint, the ACB laid a trap and on Tuesday arrested the trio who reached the complainant’s house with the bribe money in the presence of an independent witness. The ACB seized the recovered amount and arrested all three. The ACB will soon interrogate both MLA Akhilesh Pati Tripathi and Wazirpur MLA Rajesh Gupta in the case.
Refusing to acknowledge the development, Delhi Deputy CM and AAP leader, Manish Sisodia said, “The Bharatiya Janata Party in Delhi has understood that it is going to lose in the MCD elections and the Aam Aadmi Party is going to win with a thumping majority. So, it is obvious that the demand for an Aam Aadmi Party ticket was also very high.”
“It is a matter of pride that even if someone is giving or taking money somewhere, tickets are not sold at this party,” he said.
“There should be a fair inquiry by ACB. Strictest action should be taken for misusing the Aam Aadmi Party’s name,” he added.