Principal secretary Rajendra Kumar's laptop was seized during the December last year raid. (File photo)
The laptop and iPad of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's principal secretary Rajendra Kumar, against whom a graft case has been lodged, cannot be released now as they have been sent for forensic analysis, CBI told a special court today.
The agency, however, said it had no objection in releasing him the cash amount of Rs 2.39 lakh which was seized during the December last year raid, provided that Mr Kumar furnishes a security of the like amount.
It also said Mr Kumar's laptop and iPad had been sent to CFSL, Hyderabad, for forensic analysis.
The CBI's reply came on Mr Kumar's application seeking release of his laptop, iPad and cash seized during the investigation.
Special CBI Judge Ajay Kumar Jain fixed the matter for hearing arguments on the plea on May 2.
Mr Kumar, in his plea, had sought the return of his articles as investigation was over and the items would be of no use to the probe agency. He had also said the agency could keep the back-up of data stored in the laptop and iPad but release the articles as well as the seized cash.
On December 15 last year, the CBI had raided the office of Rajendra Kumar, close to the Chief Minister's office, in connection with the case.
According to the CBI, "Rajendra Kumar had played an active role in the process of promising and facilitating award of tender to a pre-determined party i.e., M/s Endeavour Systems Pvt Ltd due to extraneous considerations and devoid of public interest which shows clear element of abuse of official position and criminal conspiracy among the accused persons including the Directors of the present applicant company."
The CBI had registered the case against Mr Kumar and others on the allegations that the officer had abused his official position by favouring the firm in the last few years in getting tenders from Delhi government departments.
Mr Kumar has been booked under section 120-B of IPC (criminal conspiracy), and under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act for allegedly favouring the company in five contracts worth Rs 9.5 crore during 2007-14.