Jaipur: Former union minister Sachin Pilot on Wednesday said the FIR filed against him and seven others, including former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot, over allegations of corruption shows how state agencies are working on the BJP's directions.
"It seems government agencies have started to work at the behest of the BJP and Congress functionaries are being targeted," Mr Pilot told reporters.
"The BJP had levelled these charges earlier too. If an inquiry has to be done, it should be conducted by an independent agency and if no charges are proven against me then Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje should resign," Mr Pilot added.
On Tuesday, a first information report (FIR) was filed against former chief minister Ashok Gehlot, state president of the Congress Sachin Pilot and six others here on allegations of a scam in the running of the 108 ambulance service.
A spokesperson of the former chief minister said the issue was raised in the state assembly on previous occasions as well.
"These kinds of decisions are not taken at the chief minister's level," the spokesperson told IANS on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Rajendra Rathore said a FIR has been registered and the law will take its own course.
The police after conducting an inquiry into former mayor of Jaipur Municipal Corporation Pankaj Joshi's complaint of July 31, 2013, decided to register a case against Mr Gehlot, Mr Pilot, former health minister of Rajasthan A.A. Khan, former union finance minister Chidambaram's son Karti P Chidambaram, Ravi Krishna, son of former union minister Vayalar Ravi and others under section 420 (cheating and dishonesty), 467 (forgery of valuable security) and 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating), and 120 B (party to a criminal conspiracy), among others.
"We have referred the case to CB (Crime Branch) CID for further investigation," Investigating Officer Sawant Singh told mediapersons here.
Joshi in his complaint had alleged financial irregularities in operating the 108 ambulance service during the previous Congress regime.
The 108 ambulance service is part of the National Rural Health Mission and is a public-private partnership to ensure help for emergency patients.
He alleged that Ziqitza Health Care due to its strong political connections was hired to run the ambulance service in the state in a non-transparent manner and was overpaid during the period 2010-11.
The Bharatiya Janata Party alleged that Ziqitza Health Care has been co-founded by Ravi Krishna with Karti Chidambaram on its board of directors.
"It seems government agencies have started to work at the behest of the BJP and Congress functionaries are being targeted," Mr Pilot told reporters.
"The BJP had levelled these charges earlier too. If an inquiry has to be done, it should be conducted by an independent agency and if no charges are proven against me then Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje should resign," Mr Pilot added.
A spokesperson of the former chief minister said the issue was raised in the state assembly on previous occasions as well.
Advertisement
Meanwhile, Health Minister Rajendra Rathore said a FIR has been registered and the law will take its own course.
Advertisement
"We have referred the case to CB (Crime Branch) CID for further investigation," Investigating Officer Sawant Singh told mediapersons here.
Advertisement
The 108 ambulance service is part of the National Rural Health Mission and is a public-private partnership to ensure help for emergency patients.
Advertisement
The Bharatiya Janata Party alleged that Ziqitza Health Care has been co-founded by Ravi Krishna with Karti Chidambaram on its board of directors.
COMMENTS
Advertisement
PM Modi Meets Party Staffers At BJP Headquarters BJP Accuses Congress Of Inciting Violence Against PM Modi With 'Maut' And 'Hinsa' Remarks Why BJP Lost Lok Sabha Polls In Uttar Pradesh - 6 Reasons In Party Report 'Entire NEET Paper Solved In 45 Minutes Before Exam?': Top Court To Centre "Had God On My Side": Donald Trump Recounts Being Shot At During Rally 32 Dead In Bangladesh Unrest, Protesters Set Fire To State TV Headquarters Google Brings AI To US Broadcast Of Paris Olympics Video: Children Jump On E-Rickshaw, Chase Foreigners For Money In Delhi "Every Time I Try To Eat Healthy" - Video Creator's Editing Skills Amaze Internet Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.