Letter Against MM Khan Forwarded Without Knowledge of His Death, Says Lt Governor's Office

New Delhi: Amid controversy over a letter issued from the Lieutenant Governor to the NDMC on May 17 in a case involving the civic body officer MM Khan a day after his murder, Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung's office today said the Lieutenant Governor forwarded the communication from BJP MP Maheish Girri without knowing of the "tragic death" of the officer.

Mr Khan was shot dead just outside his residence in Jamia Nagar on May 16 allegedly for refusing to take bribe from Delhi hotelier Ramesh Kakkar.

Refuting AAP allegations that Jung sought legal action against Khan to favour prime accused Mr Kakkar, the Lieutenant Governor office said the party's claims are "frivolous" and the attempt to draw "political mileage from this tragedy is sad".

"It needs to be mentioned that the matter had been duly processed on file in the LG Secretariat on May 16, prior to the tragic death of Khan, and the letter dated May 17 was issued in the normal course, without the knowledge of the tragic death," Lieutenant Governor office said in a statement.

It also stated that a letter from M/s Prominent Hotels Limited was submitted by Girri to Lt Governor on May 10, stating that in any dispute between the licensee (accused) and the licensor (NDMC), arbitration would rest before the LG under Clause 54 of the license deed dated July 16, 1982.

"This letter was forwarded to Chairperson of NDMC dated May 11 for necessary action as per law.

"Subsequently, an arbitration petition dated May 12 was also submitted by the same licensee in this secretariat. This was also forwarded to chairperson of NDMC for being legally examined and to intimate action taken/position in the matter," the Lieutenant Governor office said.

In response to the above, vide two letters dated May 19 and June 3, Joint Director (Estates) of NDMC stated that the licence deed had been cancelled and the cancellation was upheld by the apex court and thus attained finality; as such, the arbitration clause did not survive and the said reference had been filed by New Delhi Municipal Council.

"The position was duly noted in this Secretariat and vide letter dated June 22 of this Secretariat, Chairman of NDMC was directed to ensure effective and expeditious action in the matter in pursuance of Hon'ble Supreme Court order as also take all consequential action as per law.

"The matter was therefore dealt strictly as per rules and procedure. This indeed is the established procedure that is followed when such representations are received," it further said.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been demanding Mr Girri's arrest alleging that he was involved in the May 16 murder of Mr Khan.