Mr Arvind Kejriwal said since the government did not take any action on their request to set up an independent inquiry on allegations against IAC activists, they had formed an independent ombudsmen consisting of three retired judges.
Mr Kejriwal also hoped that the ombudsman would give their report in three months by expeditiously enquiring into all the charges. He stated the ombudsman would be expected to answer questions of any illegal or immoral act committed by the IAC members. He also rejected the contention that the IAC members facing allegations could influence the probe by the ombudsman.
In Mumbai, Mr Mayank Gandhi and Ms Anjali Damania welcomed the IAC’s decision to set up the panel and said they were ready to face any probe.
Faced with a barrage of questions on their dealings, the IAC functionaries said that they wouldn’t answer questions before the media, but would go for an independent investigation by a “three-member ombudsman” instead.
Mr Gandhi said, “Instead of a media trial, we will put all the facts before the three-member panel. We have got nothing to hide, it is all in public domain.” He denied that by getting the charges investigated by a panel of retired judges, they were buying time.
Ms Damania said that the functionaries would submit all their land holdings to the panel. “Let them see and analyse everything; we are ready to be punished if they find any irregularities,” she said. When specifically asked whether she had bought land from farmers on the pretext of using it for agricultural purpose, Ms Damania said, “I am legally a farmer and have documents to prove it. I have not carried out any benami transactions. We are ready for a probe. We wouldn’t have fought such a big battle if we had anything to hide.”